Summit County, Ohio - Chapter 6: Public Institutions, 1908

Chapter 6: Public Institutions

The City Hospital of Akron had its inception in the fund left by an early French resident of Akron, Boniface De Roo, many years ago. This fund, which represented the lifetime savings of a frugal hard-working man, amounted to $10,000. The first building used was the old frame house at the corner of Bowery and Center streets. Here a number of patients were cared for, but the place was palpably too old and behind the times, so it was given up and the city got along for a number of years longer without hospital facilities, the trustees holding the fund until such time as the sentiment in favor of establishing a permanent hospital should take form.

In April, 1892, the City Hospital Association was formally organized, with T. W. Cornell, president; 0. C. Barber, vice president; Henry Perkins, secretary, and William Mc- Farlin, treasurer. Twelve trustees were chosen from the Hospital Association. The De Roo fund, $10,000 contributed by T. W. Cornell, and a like sum by 0. C. Barber, were used to purchase the Bartges homestead on East Market for hospital purposes. After some improvements the building was opened as the City Hospital of Akron on October 18, 1892. Before many years this building became constantly overcrowded, and 0. C. Barber announced that he would see that a larger one was built. With the completion of this new building and its opening on -Tune 5, 1904, Mr. Barber has invested nearly one quarter of a million of dollars, and the city of Akron has a hospital equipment second to none. Modern operating rooms and nursing facilities, with the best of everything in its line, have been secured. The training school for nurses was opened in 1897 with a class of two, and has been constantly increasing in number of students and efficiency since that time, graduating eight in May, 1907. June 27, 1906, the first resident physician or interne was engaged, and his presence proved so helpful that another was secured May 1, 1907. The internes serve for eighteen months without pay, their compensation coming from their experience gained during residence in the institution.

The officers of the new institution are as follows: President, 0. C. Barber; vice president, George T. Perkins; treasurer, Harry J. Blackburn ; recording secretary, Alexander H. Commins; president of the Auxiliary Board, H. M. Houser; superintendent, Marie Anna Lawson.

The Board of Trustees: 0. C. Barber, George T. Perkins, M. O'Neil, H. B. Camp, C. B. Ravmond, J. A. Kohler, George W. Grouse, C. E. Sheldon, I. C. Alden, P. E. Werner, A. H. Marks, C. C. Goodrich, C. C. Benner, William A. Palmer.

In the early days of the county the poor and indigent were cared for by action of the trustees of the various town.ships. The methods varied much in different townships and the system was far from satisfactory. The usual way was to "let out" the keeping of the unfortunate citizens to the lowest bidder. This was a shiftless and lazy way of disposing of the burden, and remains a great reproach to those unworthy trustees who were guilty of such a breach of trust. The contractor was bound to get as much out of his contract as possible, and the only way to accomplish this was to do as little for the pauper as possible. In the great majority of cases all that was done was just sufficient to keep the soul in its wretched body. The first poorhouse was built in the forties, and was a rough affair, situated in South Akron, between Main Street and the present Brewster switch. In 1849, the old regime, with its neglect and cruelty, came to an end. The county commissioners, acting under an Ohio statute, purchased 150 acres of land about two miles west of How^ard Street, and lying between Market, Exchange and Maple (Streets, extended. In the summer of that year $2,000 was expended in adding a twostory frame building to the other buildings upon the land. This was the beginning of our fine County Infirmary of today. In 1856, and again in 1879, additional land was purchased, until today the county farm embraces a tract of nearly 225 acres. In 1864, the legislature authorized the expenditure of $16,000 for the erection of the brick main building. By utilizing the labor of the inmates and burning the brick from clay found on the farm, and using strict economy, a much finer building was built than was originally contemplated. Large additions were made to this main building in 1875, 1880 and 1887, and many smaller additions since 1890. Today there is no better county farm or poorhouse in Ohio than the Summit County Infirmary. The infirmary directors are chosen by the people at the time of the State election. The present efficient officers are Z. F. Chamberlain, of Macedonia; J. M. Johnston, of Fairlawn, and W. E. Waters, of Akron. The present superintendent is S. B.

And Representative Citizens The Children S Home

In August, 1882, the Summit County commissioners purchased of George Allison, of Tallmadge, a farm near Bette's Corners, consisting of 140 acres of land, for $15,000. Upon this tract it was their purpose to establish a home for orphan children, and such others under sixteen years of age as should be in need of county care. A strong sentiment began to set in against this action of the commissioners, it being felt that so large a tract was not needed and that the location should be nearer to Akron. The commissioners accordingly suspended improvement operations, and in November, 1885, leased the brick boarding-houses on Broadway, nearly opposite the court-house, which was demolished in 1906. when George Crisp & Son built their large .storage building upon the site. Finally, in 1889, the commi.ssioners, having sold parcels from' the Allison farm and secured legislative permission, bought the old Jewett homestead, on South Arlington Street, in the extreme southeast corner of the city. The property now embraces nearly seven acres of land, and the old building has been entirely remodeled and thoroughly adapted to its new uses. The growth of the city and county, however, have left the original plat far in the rear, and steps should be taken at once for the erection of a modern, brick and steel, fireproof structure for a children's home. The county ha.> provided a stone palace for the county criminals (the new jail is all that) ; why should it not do as much for its little children? It has been pointed out many times that the present building is a perfect firetrap. If any taxpayer begrudge.-? the amount necessary to care for these innocent children in a proper way, he is not a worthy member of this Western Reserve communitv.

The Mary Day Nursery'

One of the splendid chai-itable works accomplished in Akron was the founding and maintenance of a nursery where children might be kept during the day, thus enabling mothers to undertake work outside the home. To the "King's Daughters" belongs the credit of perceiving and adequately meeting this need. In 1890, these young ladies organized the Akron Day Nursery, and first occupied rooms in the Union Charity Association Building, on South High Street, where the Y. W. C. A. Building now is. A year later Colonel George- T. Perkins presented the young ladies with a house and lot on South High Street near Buchtel Avenue, and the dissociation became incorporated. The name was then changed to "Mary Day Nursery," in honor of Mary Raymond, Colonel Perkins' first grandchild. A few years later the munificence of Colonel Perkins was again experienced and the association had the extreme pleasure of accepting from his hands the splendid building on the northeast corner of Broadway and Buchtel Avenue. It is splendidly equipped for nursery and kindergarten purposes and will meet the needs of the city in these respects for many years to come.

The Union Charity Association

This society wa.s incorporated in 1889 for the purpose of relieving destitution and preventing indiscriminate alm.s-gdving. It is the clearing-house for Akron's charities. It was founded by the union of the Akron Board of Charities and the Women's Benevolent Association. It purchased a frame dwelling-house on High Street near the corner of Market, the site of the present Young Women's Christian A.sosciation Building. In 1903, it erected the fine brick building called "Grace Hon.se," the money for which was contributed almost entirely by Colonel George T. Perkins. As the work of the association has fallen more and more to the lot of the Young Women's and Young Men's Christian A.ssociations, it was found advisable, in 1906.

to give up Grace House, and, accordingly, it was turned over to the Young Women'.^ Christian Association. The latter remodeled and enlarged the building at an expense of $15,000, and today it enjoys one of the finest association buildings in the State. The association has moved three times, originally occupying the basement rooms in an apartment house on the east side of South High Street, between Mill and Quarry Streets ; thence moving into the entire third story of the Wilcox Building on South Main Street, where for two years, 1905-1907, it successfully conducted its splendid work among the young women of Akron. In April, 1907, it moved into the new building on South High Street.

The present secretary of the Young Men'."? Christian Association has announced that that organization is in no sense a charitable one. However, in giving their money to establish it, the citizens of Akron understood that it was to be devoted to charitable ends. At the present time the color line is strictly drawn, and only white men of a certain social grade and upwards, are welcomed at the clubhouse. The Young Men's Christian Association is the result of a movement on behalf of boys and A'oung men, started by the mayor of Akron in 1902. Actively assisted by Samuel P. Orth, he interested a number of influential citizens in behalf of a Boy's Club. Mr. Orth was at that time a professor in Buchtel College. The idea was to get boys without regard to color, race, habits or social standing, in from the streets. After the movement had progressed considerably it seemed best to a majority of those interested in it to turn the whole project over to the Ohio Young Men's Christian Association and make use of their organization. No one doubted that the original objects of the promoters would be carried out by the latter association. In this they were mistaken. In 1903, work was commenced on a fine building on South Main Street at the southeast corner of Main and State Streets, the site having been purchased by the association. Early in 1906 it was ready for occupancy. It is a splendid structure for the purpose, and consists of gymnasium, dining-rooms, baths, dormitories, auditorium and reception and social rooms. Since the building has been opened and its restricted character announced, no little regret has been expressed that the purpose of its early promoters was not persisted in, the Young Men's Christian Association has never been a success in Akron, two former associations having gone to the wall after more or less checkered careers.

Akron Public Library

The Akron Public Library is the outgrowth of an earlier organization. The Akron Library Association, this in turn having its rootage in the Akron Lecture Association. Through a series of lectures which continued for many years, through membership fees and generous donations, the Akron Library Association grew vigorously. In 1873, the library had assumed such proportions that it required more care than the association felt inclined to give, and it was offered to the city, with the stipulation that it receive proper support. The propo.sition was duly considered and accepted in January, 1874. The library began its career as a public one in March of the same year. The city bought three rooms on the second floor of the Masonic Block, and the library occupied these until October, 1898. The growth during some twenty odd years made another move necessary, and, in 1898, the second floor of the Everett Building, then in process of construction, was reserved for the library. Prom these bright comfortable rooms it moved on April 23, 1904, into its permanent home, the building given by Mr. Carnegie. The library opened to the public August 1, 1904.

The library now numbers 16,046 volumes for circulation, and 7,580 volume* of reference and government reports - 23,626 volumes in all. Aside from the main library, it reaches the public through eight stations for book exchange. The reading room has a large and attractive list of magazines and papers, and is always well patronized. From

Board of Directors (1907) - President, W. T. Vaughan; secretary, G. D. Seward; John C. Frank, Rev. G. P. Atwater, Dr. M. V. Halter, Henry A. Kraft.