Summit County, Ohio - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 26 of those read), 1881

_J evades a cursory view, remaining concealed until persons of greater penetration peer beneath the covering of average superficial human thought.

age in which they transpired. History, at best, is but a partial narration of particulars, depending largely upon the mental and moral caliber and culture of the writer. Perhaps no two writers, in describing the same historical event, will present the same features, the same shades of thought or sentiment, the same degree of is composed. They must give an outline, must give the salient points with their proper degree of importance, must overleap the dark chasms of non-essentials which yawn beneath them, and touch only on the heights where the sunshine of human experience, human nature and human frailties reveals not only the object for which history is written, but the long vistas of

The peculiarity spoken of, which is connected with the narration of local history, consists in the writer's being required by an inexperienced and short-sighted people to give an account of occurrences which are better unrecorded, which have no special signifleance nor value in coming years, which are a clog to the mind of the reader while endeavoring to decipher the more important events from the general obscurity, and which are only required that they may answer individual ends. On the other hand, the historian must be careful, must be broad of heart and mind, that he may grasp the local situation, and paint events in their true colors ; must be argus-eyed, that nothing may escape his scrutiny ; and must be honest and conscientious, that his discoveries may be truthfully recorded. He should also be a good judge of human nature, that the suggestions of selfish and bigoted people may be impartially scanned, and accepted or rejected. Events are often omitted, which, apparently, should have been given ; and again, events are often given which should have been omitted. Human judgment is prone to err "as the sparks to fly upward ;" and even historians are not exceptions to this rule. It is the object in these pages to give only that portion of the past that is worthy of preservation. Trifling personal incidents, adventures and ambitions are omitted, except such as show the surroundings under which the settlers labored ; and the great mass of historical rubbish, though perhaps of present interest, is thrown aside as useless and burdensome. Only those events which will be valuable twenty generations hence are designed to be given. Twinsburg is situated in the northeast corner of the county. Portage County, from which it was severed when Summit County was formed. Lying as it does at the side of Northfield, its soil partakes largely of the valuable character of the latter. There are several valuable stone quarries lying so near the surface that a heavy blast of powder would, apparently, throw out hundreds of perches of the gritty sandstone. <As it is, large quantities are taken out, and are used not merely in the county, but in adjacent counties. The township is well watered, and also well drained. In times of drought, the wells are not so liable to fail as those located on the bluffs which bound the Cuyahoga

River. The township is drained almost wholly by Tinker's Creek. This stream enters near the southeast corner and flows northwest, leaving one mile east of the northwest corner. There are several valuable falls, the principal one being at Millville. In early years, in the northern part of the township, the bed of the creek widened out to three or four times its | ordinary width, thus creating what might be termed a lake on a small scale. There is considerable quite level land, which. when the country was new, was very wet, affording but little satisfaction to those who were obliged to cross it. Since the opening of the forests has let in the heat of the sun, the soil is found to be in about the proper condition to work. The soil is mainly destitute of clay. consisting mostly of a dark loam, which contains a large proportion of decaying vegetable ingredients. Large quantities of stone are being taken out at the quarry one mile north of the Center. Much of the early history of this township has already been written by some of its earliest and most reliable citizens. While much of this must be repeated, not only from its value. but from the fact that it is unusually complete. new items of historical importance. which have been carefully gathered and selected. will be added. The writer has taken pains to collect additional information on those subjects which are treated quite fully by Ethan Alling, Luman

Lane and Gen. Bierce. In a few instances. those writers have made mistakes. some of which have been discovered and will be avoided. Other subjects have not been treated as thoroughly as their historical value demands, resulting no doubt from the primary nature of these records. Again, other important topics have been altogether overlooked. The writings of the above-named men are valuable, and are mainly followed.

The original proprietors of Twinsburg were Mills & Hoadley, who owned the south and southeasterly parts; Henry Champion, who owned the west and northwesterly parts, and Moses and Aaron Wilcox, who owned the north and northeasterly parts. The principal stream in the township was named by Gen. Moses Cleaveland. in honor of the principal boatman, Joseph Tinker, who accompanied the first exploring expedition sent to the Western Reserve by the Connectieut Land Company. While parties of the surveyors were running the merid- ians in the eastern part of the Reserve, during the summer of 1796, Gen. Cleaveland, accompanied by Joseph Tinker, went up the lake on . an exploring voyage, as far as the mouth of the ° Cuyahoga, and then up that river until they © discovered a large creek, which, in honor of his '

In 1816-17. Lewis Alling. of Connecticut. purchased 400 acres of land of Mills & Hoadley. lying in the southeast part of Millsville Township (now Twinsburg). On the 3d of March. 1817. he sent his son Ethan, then a stripling aged sixteen years. to this land in the Reserve to commence an improvement. Three young men - Zeri Alling. Rodolphus Wolcott and Lex Johnson - were hired and sent out at the same time to assist him. After a muddy journey. except one day's travel on the ice from Buffalo to Dunkirk. this little party of four arrived at the cabin of Mr. Post. in Hudson. on the last day of March. The next day the party, accompanied, or rather guided. by Mr. Mills, started north to have a look at the land. upon which they were destined to undergo many hari days labor. Following a line of marked trees. they at last reached a spot which Mr. Mills informed them was the center of the township. They all sat down and rested under a beech tree which stood just at the southeast corner of the square. The spot was muddy and uninviting. and the party followed up the creek until they came to " the falls," where they found some sticks of hewed timber which had been drawn there by settlers of Hudson who designed building a saw-mill.

taking with them a barrel of stale pork that had been bought of Capt. Oviatt for $25, a barrel of flour that had cost $8, ten bushels of potatoes that had cost $5, and a gallon of whisky that had cost $1.50. They were supplied with a bake-kettle without a bail, two tin pans, one case knife, one iron spoon, and were compelled to use chips for plates and sharp sticks for forks. Ethan Alling kept house, doing the cooking, ete., not only for his party but for various visitors who were attracted to the spot, in order, perhaps, to get a " square meal." 7th of July. Lewis Alling and his family arrived, and moved into a log house that had been erected by the boys about the Ist of June. This building was the home, during the year, of the bering in all fourteen persons. two-storied, having one room above and one below, and, although everything was in the most primitive fashion, yet all seemed to live well and enjoy themselves. Provisions were very much trouble. Pork sold for about $8 per hundred, while the same quantity of venison could be bought for $1. Salt was $10 per barrel, cotton shirting 50 cents per yard, and calico 75 -

Toward the latter part of May. 1817, Maj. Elisha Loomis, E. W. Mather and Lester Davis arrived from Connecticut. and, after stopping a few days with the Allings. built a log cabin at a place since known as Loomis Mills. Mr. Loomis had been a sailor on the ocean for many years, having sailed twice round the world in the ship Oneida. Frederick Stanley came in about the same time Loomis did. On the Ist of July, Lewis Alling. Jr., Gideon Thompson and Zenas Alling arrived with a drove of 104 merino sheep. having driven them, in thirty days, 660 miles. It was thought that owners were doomed to disappointment. wolves killed many of them, as did also the dogs, while others died of strange diseases which bafHled all care. The flock were soon all gone. At the close of 1820, the following settlers had found homes in the township: Lewis Alling, William Allen, Elisha Loomis. Elias Mather. Joel W. Thompson, Josiah Myric. Noah P. Nichols, A. J. Palmer. Henry Bennett. Amos C. Taylor, Lyman Richmond. Reuben Chamberlain, Frederick Stanley. John Bassett,

The township was organized in 1819. An election was ordered to be held in April of that _ year, by the Commissioners of Portage County, and on that occasion nineteen voters were presi ent. Frederick Stanley was chosen Clerk, and a | few other offices were filled; but it was found nec- | essary during the following autumn to elect the ' the remainder, at which time Lewis Alling and Samuel Vail were chosen Justices of the Peace, receiving their commissions from the county 'court. Elisha Loomis was the second Clerk, E. W. Bronson third, and Luman Lane fourth, the latter serving in 1822. The township was named in 1819, in honor of, and at the suggestion of, the Wilcox brothers, who were twins. These brothers did not come West until 1823; but owning as they did several thousand acres in the northeastern part, they proposed giving six acres at the center for a public square, and $20 toward building the first schoolhouse. providing the township was named Twinsburg in their honor. Their proposal was accepted ; but prior to that time the township was known either by its range and number, or as Millsville. Elijah W. Bronson was the real estate agent of the Wilcox brothers, being authorized to dis- ' pose of their land previous to their coming to 'the township. Luman Lane was the first. or one of the first, to erect a dwelling on the Wilcox tract. Maria Stanley was the first child born, that event occurring November 23. 1819. The first death was in the spring of 1819. and was that of a child of Reuben Chamberlain. The first marriage occurred March 19, 1821, between Emery W. Alger and Eliza Dodge, Lewis Alling, Esq., performing the ceremony in backwoods fashion.

In 1817, Elisha Loomis erected a saw-mill in the southeastern corner on Tinker's Creek. <A natural fall in the stream, of. some ten feet. aided

Water was supplied by means of a race, and the mill continued to do good work for a number of years. In 1818, E. W. Mather built a frame grist-mill at the same place, on the op- posite side of the creek. This mill was oper- - ated until about 1840, when it ceased from lack - of patronage. The presence of these two mills at the falls served to attract settlers to that locality, and several dwellings were soon seen on the adjoining hills. This proceeding met the approval of the proprietors of that tract, | who had already placed on paper a plat of the prospective village of " Millsville." They saw a general disposition on the part of the settlers to locate there, and determined to profit by it. They accordingly laid out a number of lots, and offered them for sale at prices ranging from $50 to $200; but they had greatly miscalculated, as scarcely a lot was sold. There were but few mechanics in the country then, and | they sought larger villages in which to ply their craft. And then the price asked was ten times too much for that early period of the growth of the village. All shunned the village, and at | last, when the proprietors awoke to the true _ State of affairs, they were too late to remedy | the evil. There was no demand for the lots ' then at any price. The tradesmen, mechanics

| their short-sightedness. The mills, at this antici- | pated village, were not the only ones in Twinsburg in early years. Apollos White built a ' dam across Tinker's Creek in about 1835, and erected thereon two mills - one for grinding | grain and the other for sawing lumber. Both _ did fair work for a number of years. White finally sold the grist-mill to a man named Gibbs, who, after operating it a few years, sold to other parties. It finally burned down in about 1865, George and Alfred Ledgsham being the owners | at the time. These mills did good work, and had an extensive patronage in their day. It. was an accommodation to get flour and lumber | | so near home, for it saved tiresome journeys | | through roads whose bottom was too far down | to be reached with comfort. | Roads were important considerations when the country was first settled. If a path was cleared through the woods for that purpose, it | seemed as if all the stagnant water for rods | around was sure to settle there. The turnpike | | was largely graded by the owners of the land | | across which itran. Mills and Hoadley worked | the turnpike along their land, as did also Henry | Champion. These men evidently had an ob. , ject in view in this proceeding, as they after- | ward charged an additional dollar per acre more for the land adjoining the turnpike than for other portions. The citizens gave from $10 to 350 each to assist in defraying the expense of constructing this road, the amount given reaching very nearly 33,000. In 1821, the citizens | living on the road running north from the Center, pledged themselves to labor on that road | each alternate Saturday afternoon, or forfeit a - half-gallon of whisky. Tradition tells us of a | great many forfeits paid ; but does not utter a » syllable as to what became of the whisky. In | spring time, when Tinker's Creek was raging, | the settlers living on the opposite side found it extremely difficult to cross over to the Center. This finally led to the erection of a bridge more than forty rods in length. which lasted for a number of years. Brush and stone and logs were placed in muddy spots in the roads ; and. some time in the distant future, when these places are invaded, and portions of the wood found in a fair state of preservation, newspaper speculations as to how long they have been there will be in order.

In 1825, Ethan Alling began the dairy business with twenty-two cows, several of which had been bought for $12 each. The butter made was taken to Akron once each week. and sold at 8 cents per pound for the use of the canal laborers. Considerable cheese was also made. but from a lack of suitable places in which to keep it, a large portion was lost. Six hundred pounds, however, were sold at Aurora for 5 cents a pound. This was the first cheese made in Twinsburg. In 1828. Joseph Chamberlain also began making cheese and butter from the milk of some thirty cows. About the same time. several others began the same occupation. which was conducted so extensively that money began to flow into Twinsburg, instead of out of it as before. About $1,000 came to the township in 1833 from this source Twinsburg has since been noted for its interest in dairy matters. The sales steadily increased until, in 1860, they amounted to more than 375,000, and in 1880 to nearly 3100.000. It is difficult to conceive how scarce | money was in pioneer times, and how people , managed to get along without it. When the | settlers first rushed to the township, there was considerable money for a few years; but when | a lull in the immigration occurred, the ready money flowed away like water, leaying the set- | allowed) brought ready money, and the settlers - already there were anxious to become their bosom triends. This rapid change created two distinct prices - one called the trade price, and the other the cash price. Promissory notes, due at some future day, were made payable in ~

Quite a number who came early were induced to promise to pay $5 or $6, per acre for their Some succeeded, but most of them failed, and were obliged to leave the farms, several of which, with all their improvements upon them, were afterward sold for $3 an acre.

siderable rye whisky was made for a short time, which was carried away in gallon bottles. as fast as it was made. In 1826, a strong impulse was given to the temperance cause in

Great enthusiasm prevailed among the workers, and scores of persons ceased to manufacture and sell ardent spirits. A branch society, with headquarters at Cuyahoga Falls, was organized in Twinsburg in about 1830, and, three years raising of log-buildings without whisky, but the movement was met with violent opposition from those who thought liquor one of the neces- These men refused to appear at such raisings, but, when their temperate neighbors refused to assist them, unless whisky was dropped the use of liquor on such occasions, or sought asscciations more congenial with their intemperate habits. A spirit of hostility was thus created between parties, which termi-

Many interesting incidents are told by old hunters or their descendants concerning adventures had with bears or other wild animals. Ezra Clark was one day chopping on a piece of woodland belonging to Mr. Lane, when suddenly he heard a hog, off some twenty rods distant, begin to squeal as though in the greatest distress. Clark instantly surmised that a bear was endeavoring to carry off the hog, or was killing it on the spot. Though unarmed, he instantly made up his mind to prevent, if possible, the untimely death of the Sus scrofa.

he ran rapidly forward to a large log, behind which he beheld a scene which was often enacted in the backwoods. A savage-looking bear of average size had thrown a full-grown hog on the ground, and was busily engaged in tearing its flesh with teeth and claws. A large hole, from which the blood freely flowed, had he approached with the intention of striking it into the bear. But the moment the bear beheld his approach, it leaped back from the hog, and, rearing up on its hind feet, in the act of defense, faced the woodsman with a savage growl, showing two rows of gleaming teeth discolored with blood. The man stopped short, as he had no desire to encounter the embraces of the animal. He threw his club, however, with all his strength, fairly striking the and, after viewing the intruder a moment, turned and made off as fast as it could through the forest. On another occasion, a bear was seen to pass across the southern part of the township, going north. An alarm was given, and a party of men with dogs and guns started rapidly in pursuit. The bear was overtaken by the dogs, and treed near the cabin of Aaron Post. The men came up, when one of them fired, bringing the bear to the ground. badly wounded, but had plenty of life and flight remaining, and the men, knowing that it could not escape them, determined to have some fun, if it could be called fun. The dogs, five or six in number, were urged on; but whenever they came within reach of the bear, they were knocked about like foot-balls. They soon learned, by sorry experience, to keep at a contenting themselves with sudden approaches and nips, when the bear's back was turned. The animal handled terity, wheeling round and round to escape the sharp teeth of the dogs. and occasionally sending one of them end over end a rod or more At last, one of the men, with gun cocked, went close to the bear. and fired di- in its tracks ; but, just as he fired, the bear made a sudden movement, and thus escaped the shot unhurt. Another tried the same experiment, and succeeded in killing the wounded animal. It is related by Mrs. Elizabeth (Walker) Lappin, of Boston Township, who is the oldest settler living in the county, having been born in October, 1788. and who came to Hudson in 1802, that, on one occasion, a man named Cackler, while hunting in the woods in Twinsburg, as early as 1808. came very nearly being killed by a bear. While following its

| trail rapidly, with head bent down, he came directly upon it so suddenly that he had no time to raise his gun or retreat. The animal reared up on its hind feet, with a fierce growl, and fore-paw, but, luckily, he leaped back far enough to avoid the stroke. He raised and cocked his rifle, probably in the same movement, and, as the bear was upon him, he thrust out his gun, with the intention of making a muzzle was plunged into the animal's mouth. The trigger was instantly pulled, and a ball went crashing through the brain of the huge animal, which, a moment later, fell upon the ground in the agonies of death. Had it not been for the lucky thrust of the rifle, it would have fared hard with the intrepid hunter. Mrs. Lappin says that her father, John Walker, killed sixteen bears after coming to the county, and, whenever a bear was killed, a notch was cut on the deer-horn handle. This knife is now in possession of Mr. Walker's grandson, who lives in Indiana, and upon the handle are the sixteen notches. cut there more than half a

Wilcox built a small frame house on the north | side. and here the brothers *bached" for a . short time, selling, in the meantime, portions | of their land, and using their best efforts to induce settlers to locate at the village or farther north on their tract. They did not commit the mistake that resulted so disastrously to Mills & Hoadley. They had already given land for they otherwise, very probably, did their own | In about 1826, each of the brothers built a small frame house on the north side, | and both of these buildings are yet standing | in a fair state of preservation, and both are | In the fall of 1825, Ethan Alling, | occupied. after quitting the dairy business, commenced building a tavern at the Center, and the following year, the structure having been completed, ruled the hour. This building is yet standing, and composes a part of the large, low frame structure which stands, dark and deserted, on the southeast corner of the square. In the bar of this tavern, liquor was kept for sale, a universal thing in those days. The Wilcox brothers had succeeded in getting a Post Office at the Center as early as 1825, and Moses Wilcox was commissioned first Postmaster. At his death, which occurred in the autumn of 1827, Mr. Alling applied for the appointment, and was commissioned October, 1827. Mail was then obtained from Hudson once a week. The total amount of postage received in 1828 was $36.01; in 1839, it was $256.67, and in 1860, about $400. Twenty periodicals came to the office in 1828; about seven hundred came in 1860. At that time a well-traveled stage route, running from Hudson to Cleveland, passed enormous custom to hotels there, and filling every industry with life. Mr. Alling and others in Twinsburg saw this, and became envious ; or, at least, they resolved to make the effort to have the stage route changed so as to pass

1828, bought out the entire stage property. The sequel is easily guessed. The route was immediately changed, and the splendid impetus given to every industry at the village soon produced a marked result. New life was infused ers appeared, and the outlook for the village seemed highly favorable. It was one of the most important events occurring in the history of the township. A tri-weekly mail was thus secured, and from one to five stages passed over the route daily. The road was extensively traveled by persons going to Cleveland to market, who had previously gone by some It is said that yery often as high as fifty horses were kept over night at the tavern barn. But although the stage line was a splendid thing for the village and township, it was a losing investment to the owners. This is difficult to understand in view of the in his tavern bar, a room six feet by eight, placing therein $3.50 worth of tobacco and Seotch snuff. A few groceries were added the following year, and as the trade, though exceedingly limited, seemed brisk and promising, Mr. Alling finally concluded to engage in the pursuit more extensively. He accordingly rented his tavern in 1831, to Samuel Kdgerly, and built a frame house, an apartment in which he fitted up for a storeroom, the remainder being devoted to the use of his family. A few hundred dollars' worth of goods comprised his stock ; but this was slowly and steadily increased until, in 1835, the goods were valued at some $600, when he erected a large storeroom on the northwest corner of the square. Here a good business was done with a stock which, at its best, was worth about $7,000. All the different varieties of country produce were bought and sold, and the store did much to centralize the efforts of the citizens in the village. The sales of goods, exclusive of flour, salt and produce, amounted in 1847 to $14,000. In 1848, Mr. Alling's sons, Frank A. and George H., were given charge of the store, and continued until about 1851, when George purchased his brother's interest, and conducted the business until 1856, when he died, and the store fell into the hands of Bishop & Chamberlain. The stock at this time was worth about $10,000, and a brisk and profitable trade was had with the surrounding country. At the expiration of two years, Chamberlain sold his interest to his partner, the latter continuing alone until about the opening of the war, when he likewise sold out. In 1830, the tavern now owned and conducted by Mr. E. W. Clark, was built by Eli and Otis Boise. It was intended for a combined store and dwelling, and, in what is now the office, about $1,000 worth of goods were placed. The brothers sold or traded who, at the end of some three years, disposed of his goods and converted the building into a tavern, a use to which it has since been devoted. In about the year 1839, Odell & Taylor erected the stone store, and began the mercantile pursuit with between $4,000 and 35,000 worth of a general assortment of goods. They likewise bought conducting a harness-shop in Macedonia, and two or three other gentlemen, all under the partnership name of Odell, Price & Co. In 1857 or 1858, A. L. Nelson took possession of this store building, but was soon afterward burned out, whereupon he erected the stone store building he now occupies. This merchant, at times, has done an excellent business. Messrs. Hart, Dodge, Santford and Bishop, in about 1851, built the store building now occupied by the Madden Brothers. These men, who were partners, began selling goods, and until his death, which occurred in about 1851. | ceased should be buried on their own farms. | He was succeeded by his son, Delos Odell, now | This was done in Twinsburg. In September. | cemetery was prepared on Lot 10, Tract 3, © consisting of an acre and a half. The yard - 'was fitted up, planted with trees, and a . _ stone wall built around it, at an expense of

Mr. Bishop sold to the others and withdrew. Three years later, Mr. Dodge sold to the Stephens boys. and thus the partnership continued until some three years later, when the parties failed and made an assignment of their goods. After that, the building was vacant, or practically so, until 1866, when MaddenBrothers took possession and began to manufacture and sell ready-made clothing. They were practical tailors, and did a good business in their line. continuing until the present time. The firm is known as I. & P. Madden. Richardson & Taylor commenced the mercantile pursuit in about 1846, and continued until 1850, when Mr. Richardson sold to Mr. McFarland. and the latter, two years later. to Osman Riley. Soon afterward. the partners failed in business. and the building was finally destroyed by fire, and was not rebuilt. Other merchants have held were the principal ones. James Alexander, at an early day, began to manufacture wagons, conducting the work in a small shop, on a small scale. He steadily increased his business until, in 1849, he gave employment to ten or twelve first-class wagons and carriages. He burned out in 1851, but immediately rebuilt, and has continued the same occupation until the present, although in late years the business has

Mr. Alling, at an early day, bought ashes and manufactured a limited quantity of potash for a number of years, in the village. A few other industries of less consequence have flourished from time to time.

It should be noticed that the first principal settlement in the township was made upon the Wilcox tract. This tract. it seems, was incumbered by a mortgage which had been given

, Married sisters, Huldah and Mabel Lord, of forth in the village at different times. but these , _ bled each other that none but their most inti- |

Killingsworth, Conn. "In life, they so resemmate friends could distinguish between them. They married sisters, had an equal number of children, held all their property in common.

In the year 1822,a log schoolhouse was built upon the square at the Center. This was the first public building of any character in the township, and it was used as a schoolhouse, a town hall andachurch. The first teacher was

The houses put up were usually rude log buildings, which were used for a few years, or until there seemed occasion for the erection of better , ones. Although these schools have been fair in their way, yet they have been mainly primary in their nature, from the reason that, ordinarily, as soon as the scholars became quite well ad- |

: usefulness, has done more to improve the in- ' tellect and morals than perhaps any other organization. not even excluding the churches. ' It dates its origin as far back as 1828, when yet the townsnip was but a frontier settlement, and almost its entire surface was covered with Its founder and supporter, who is yet living, hale and hearty, at the ad- and a graduate of Yale College. Immediately after receiving his diploma. Mr. Bissell began a course of theological studies. designing to enter the ministry upon their completion. These round of struggles, through which but invincible determination in the path chosen and unfaltering patience and selfdenial could have proved triumphant. Soon after his ordination, he came to Aurora, Ohio. and, in 1826, began a private school, which was continued until 1828. when he was invited to take charge of the Congregational society at Twinsburg. an invitation he accepted. A block-house had been erected for his accommodation, about a mile west of the Center. into which he moved. On the same lot was a rude log house, twenty by thirty feet, with rough boards on the floor, and loose ones for the ceiling, the building having been originally built for a shoe-shop. Three openings were made in the logs composing the walls, in each of which was placed a sash containing four small panes of glass, while at one end of the dismal room was a broad fire-place, with chimney built of stones and sticks plastered with clay. In the room were placed a few rudely and hastily constructed seats and desks, and the only cheerful feature of the apartment was the roaring fire which lighted the place with fitful and ruddy glow. Mr. Bissell, upon his arrival, had made known his wish to teach the youth of the neighborhood ; and with his first school in the room just described began that unusual system of philanthropy which became a characteristic feature of his institute, and was the means of educating so many indigent youth. This schoolroom was thrown open to any young people who desired to attend, without any charge, except from those disposed to pay, in which case the tuition for the term was to be $2. About forty students attended the first winter, and so much interest was created that several terms were taught in the old house, but in 1831, a combined church and schoolhouse was erected, in which Mr. Bissell taught and preached until 1835, when he went to Portage County, but returned in 1837, and built a house 20x35 feet, in which he taught for twenty-nine consecutive years. Two years later, this building was enlarged, and other arrangements made to meet the growing demands of the institute, which was fast getting a name. In 1843, a large, two-storied frame building (the Alling Hotel property) was secured and fitted up for the accommodation of students, a large number of whom were from a distance, and were compelled to board in the village. Within the next five years, two other large buildings were secured for a similar purpose. There were now in attendance about three hundred students, at least fifty of whom were boarders. Seven teachers and assistants, at the head of whom was the Principal, Mr. Bissell, were necessary to conduct the numerous classes. A thorough academical course of ics, French and German, vocal and instrumental music and penmanship, was provided, and all necessary opportunities were afforded to prepare students for college. No charter was ever obtained, and no public money ever appropriated to strengthen the institute, which rested upon the shoulders of one man. The quition charged was usually $2 for the term, and never more than $4, even when the classics were taught. Elaborate and systematic arrangements were made for boarding the stu- dents in the numerous buildings referred to, at a cost to each of from 9 to 12 shillings per week. The great value of the institute to the village and to all the surrounding country need not be detailed. Twinsburg became noted for its thrift, energy and general excellence in education and morals. More than six thousand students have been in attendance at the institute during its continuance, and, out of these, about two hundred have been Indians of the Seneca, Ottawa, Pottawatomie and Ojibway tribes. Ministers, statesmen, generals, law- portions of the country, trace the beginning of their education to the door of the Twinsburg Institute. A good library was secured. and literary and other societies were instituted. The benevolence of Mr. Bissell was such that he not only greatly lowered the tuition, but who were unable to pay their own way. He was accustomed to give such students a few light chores to do, and these trifling duties were so divided and subdivided, that the work was more in name than in reality. It is related that on one occasion, after Mr. Bissell had gone to extremes in this respect. some of the students thus detailed grumbled about having more to do than others. Considerable ill-will was thus incited. One morning Mr. Bissell arose at his usual hour. 5 o'clock. and.

| beginning with these chores, completed the entire round before the time for opening the school. Not a word was said, but the act spoke in volumes to the fault-finding students. who, after that, vexed the ear of the Principal with no more grumblings. Among the Indian youth was George Wilson, a Seneca, about whom | a great deal has been said. He became a fine ' scholar - superior in many important respects ,

Mr. Bissell says that the quality of his eloquence, the unusual power of his intellect and the force of his delivery, resembled in a marked manner those of Daniel Webster. He afterward became chief of his tribe, and was sent to represent their interests to the New York Legislature, and to the New York Historical Society, receiving from the latter several thousand dollars for his people, who were in a starving condition in the West. Another one named

Jackson Blackbird, or " Mack-a-de-bennessi," was an Ottawa, and a direct descendant of Pontiac. He excelled in composition, and composed a comedy, three hours in length, that was presented by the societies of the institute publicly to large audiences with great success. He afterward did his people good service in Michigan, as is seen by the following in his own language: the passage of a joint resolution of both Houses in favor of the petitions." Mr. Bissell became known throughout the Reserve for his philanthropy in the cause of Indian education. Some two hundred were educated at the Institute, from whom no compensation worth mentiontioning was ever received. All their expenses were paid. including board, tuition, room, fuel, light, washing, books and stationery, and some clothing, at the fair estimate of $200 each, a year. This expense. borne by no one except the Principal. estimated at these figures, has amounted, during the history of the institute to over 340,000. Almost as much has been expended on indigent white youth. and when the cost of erecting the various buildings is added to this, the total amount foots up to the enormous sum of over $80,000, all of which has been borne by Mr. Bissell. To offset this. not more than 312.000 have been received from all sources. These expenses were too heavy to be borne. and an embarrassing debt was the result. broke out, the institute was greatly injured. Several of the buildings were sold to pay the debts, which amounted to some 36,000.

At this time, and without means. the foundation of the present stone building was laid. The manual labor connected with the erection of this house was largely done by "r. Bissell. He obtained the loan of 31,500, anda with this purchased the necessary tools, a horse and wagon, etc., and without any previous experience, put on the roof, made the doors, window | doubted. The institute is likely to fail altogether, when the Principal's hand is removed by death Mr. Bissell is now almost penniless, and is compelled to teach for a living at the age of more than eighty years. Considering the invaluable service he has ren-

' dered the village and township in the past, how _ scores of people now living there have been the recipients of his generous bounty, how - patient self-denial and faith in God have been | the watchwords of this venerable old man, it is were usually held there. Lewis Alling, Sr., usually led the meetings ; Asa Upson also did. A circuit minister, whose name is forgotten, organized a class at the house of sa Upson

Asa Upson, Emery Alger and their families. Mr. Seward was preaching for the society at this time about once a month. Mr. Hanford A Congrega- and at that time consisted of the following members: Lewis Alling, Luman Lane, Hanand their wives: Robert Hurd, J. H. Kelsey, , Belizer Beech, also Irena Thomas, Comfort

Hanford organized the society. It was greatly strengthened by a revival in 1827. On the 30th of April, 1828, Rev. Bissell was given charge of the society. Rev. Hair was its Pastor in 1835. At this time or soon afterward, a division was made in the society, and Rev. Bissell became the Pastor of one of them. Revs. Treat, Ward and Chapin occasionally preached at the Center. Rev. R. C. Learned was Pastor in 1843; Horace W. Palmer, in 1848 ; Joseph H. Scott, in 1853 ; Sidney Bryant, in 1860, and the President and professors of Western Reserve College have also filled the appointment. A proposition to build a combined church and schoolhouse on the square met with opposition. Timbers were prepared, and, finally, under protest, the house was erected. The house was twice moved, and then torn down. Another building was erected in 1831, at a cost of $700. The present one was built in 1848, at a cost of $3,000.

The fine marble monument standing in the public park is a credit to the patriotism of the citizens and an emblem of gratitude to the brave boys, living and dead, who fought in the last great war. Their names and the companies and regiments in which they served are chiseled into the white stone. The structure was erected the "semi-centennial year of the settlement of Twinsburg." Its total height is twenty-eight feet, and it rests upon three superimposed bases of sandstone, which form a series of steps to the foot of the marble column. Standing on the summit, with wings outspread, is a life-sized statue of the American eagle.