Bedford City

Bedford City

Location - Surfate - Soil - Tinker's Creek - Picturesque Scenery - The Pioneers - The First Settlers - Rapid House-building - Parker's Tavern - A Mighty Hunter - The First Child - First Settler in the Northwest - Getting Plenty of Food - First Permanent Resident at the Center - Other Settlers before 1823 - Householders in 1880 - Civil Government - First Officers - List of Officers - Cemetery - Town Hall - The Village - Location and Appearance - The Beginning - The Laying Out - The Incorporation - Officers since 1860 - Post Ofice - Stores - Hotels - Physicians - Bedford Intellingencer - Early Mills - Woolen Factory - Pail Factory - Tannery - Foundry - The Rolling Mill - Machine Shop - Chair Factories - Schools - Union School - Chureh of Christ - First Baptist Church - Methodist Chyrch - piscopal Church - Masonic Lodge.

Tuts township lies on the Summit county line, east of Independence and south of Warrensville. On the east it is bonnded by the township of Solon. It is known in the survey as township number six in range eleven. When it was organized for civil purposes, in 1828, it received its present name at the suggestion of Daniel Benedict, in compliment to the place of his nativity - Bedford, Connecticut.

Along the streams the surface of the township is sumewhat broken, but in other parts it is generally level. Being also quite elevated, Bedford is a very healthy township. Heavy forests originally covered the ground, but these have been generally removed, although the appearance of the country is yet pleasantly diversified by bodies of timber which have been allowed to remain in their primitive beauty. The soil is variable, but is usually a light loam. It is generally free from stones, and may be cultivated with ease. It is fertile, and yields the ordinary products of this part of the State, but dairying has, to a large extent, become the chief industrial pursuit of the inhabitants.

Tinker's Creek is the principal stream.* It flows from Solon in a westerly course, south of the center of Bedford, to the Cuyahoga, into which it empties in the township of Independence. Its channel is very deep and rugged, forming in places chasms several hundred feet deep, which have almost perpendicular banks of shale or sand rock, and present a grand and picturesque appearance. Along a part of its course through the township, the scenery for varied and attractive beauty is seldom surpassed. The volume of the stream is not so great as formerly, but it yet affords good water power, which has been well utilized. The other streams of the township are small brooks, which flow into this creek from the north,

Pioneer Settlers

About 1810 the township was surveyed into one hundred lots, numbered from the northwest, but no speedy attempt at settlement followed. In 1813 Elijah Nobles settled on Tinker's ereek near the line of Independence, and was probably the first pioneer of Bedford. He was a man of loose business habits, and soon found himself reduced to extreme poverty with avery heavy incumbrance on his land. As it did not seem possible for him to retain his home there, one of the Hudsons, of Hudson, who was related to him, offered him a part of lot forty-six (at the center), if he would make certain improvements on it. With this purpose he moved to what is now the village of Bedford, in November, 1815, and was the first man who lived there. His neighbors in Independence turned out to the number of eighteen, and in a single day built him a cabin from the trees growing on the spot, leaving the family there at night nearly three miles from any other occupied house. Nobles remained all winter at the center, but the following spring he returned to his old place on the creek, and not long after removed to another part of the State. A part of his property on Tinker's creek passed into the hands of Adams & Starr, who built there the first mills in the township, and another part became the home of Cardee Parker who opened the first tavern, (although Nobles may have entertained oecasional travelers.) Parker's tavern became quite famous in its way, and after his death, was continued by his widow, who was widely known as Mother Parker. After the canal was built she removed to Independence, and opened a public house there.

Several months after the settlement of Nobles at the center, Benjamin Fitch, who came to Independence in 1813, squatted on a piece of land in that locality, but after Nobles had left he, too, became discouraged and moved back to the creek. He sold his ''betterments" to Wetherby Nye, but the land ultimately became the property of Joseph Goodale, who the year Fitch returned to the center and built a uew cabin on the eastern part of the site of the village, where he lived a number of years, but finally made a permanent settlement on lot fifteen. He was probably the greatest hunter that' ever lived in the township, being so uniformly successful that some of his less fortunate neighbors used to '' change works " with him - they clearing his land for him while he provided them with game. He was also well known as a maker of splint-bottom chairs, and some of these useful articles made by him, over sixty years ago, are yet in existence in the township. In the latter part of his life he moved to Indiana, where he died. He had three sons, named Joseph, George C., and Andrew G. The latter was born at the center in 1818, being the first child born in that locality. His two daughters yet live in Bedford, Harriet being the wife of W. O. Taylor.

Benoni Brown settled in the southwestern part of the township about 1815, but removed in the course of ten years. At the old mill, in the Tinker's creek settlement, Timothy Washburne lived at a very early day, but did not remain long. He was the first blacksmith in Bedford. In this locality also Stephen Comstock settled in 1814, and a'daughter, Sarah, born soon after, was the first child born in the township. The family also comprised two other daughters, and two sons named Charles and Stephen. Stephen Comstock, Sr., was probably the first settler of Bedford who retained a permanent residence. A little later James Orr made some improvements in the same locality, but also removed before 1830. About 1818 Moses Gleeson likewise settled there. He was an enterprising citizen, and reared seven sons, named Edwin, Elias, Charles, William, Moses, Sardis and Lafayette, and three daughters.

In April, 1819, Samuel Barnes, of Vermont, came from Newburg, where he had settled in 181%, and located in the northwest part of Bedford, but afterwards settled at the village. He died in November, 1872, but Mrs. Barnes is yet living, and is the earliest surviving settler of the township. They reared a son, Orville, and two daughters. One of them, Cordelia, was born in June 1819, hers being one of the first births in the township.

The following year and the year after, Moses Barnum, Abijah S. Barnum and Prentice B. Ross settled on the Newburg road, but at least two of them moved away at an early date. In 1820 Jason Shepard located on lot two, where he lived until after 1830, when he removed to Newburg. It is related of him that while he was out hunting he shot a black bear which was helping himself to the wild honey from a '' bee tree," which also became the prize of the hunter; and, returning home, shot a deer and some wild turkeys near his house, which was certainly obtaining a pretty good supply of food for one day. He had a son, Elias, who is yet a citizen of Newburg.

leaving seven sons, named Ambrose, Chester, Alonzo, John, Asa, Jehiel and Lorenzo. Of these, Asa, who resides on Dunham street, is the only one living in the township. Wetherby Nye became a resident of Bedford about the same time, and after living in various places finally located in the western part of the township, where he died in 1877. Nathaniel K. Joy lived in the same neighborhood as early as 1822, but soon moved away. On lot four Solomon White was an early settler, locating on the present Libbey farm. Samuel Morton lived in the same neighborhood in 1822, but after a few years moved to Canada.

In 1822 Stephen Robinson located on the present Comstock place, on lot twelve, where he died in 1882. He had eight sons, named Daniel, Nathan, Isaac, Ebenezer, Ezra, Nathaniel, John and Newman. The latter is the only one remaining in the township; John lives in West Cleveland; and Ezra in Brooklyn. John White was a neighbor of the Robinsons before 1823, and died in that loeality. He reared two sons, named Wilham G. and Charles.

Daniel Benedict settled at the village of Bedford in 1821, and was the first permanent resident there. His family consisted of eight sons: Darius, Ralph, Julius, Sillock, Judson, James, Rodolphus, Phinamber and Allison. Phinamber is the only one living in the county, he being yet a resident of the village. A little later Moses Higby settled in the southwestern part of the township, where he remained until his death.

Others living in the township before 1823 were Jared Barnes, Barzilla Burk, William Dunshee, Laban Ingersoll, John Johnson, John Marvin and Peter Comstock. Within a few years came Philo Barnes, Justus Remington, George M. Payne, Luther and Ziba Willis, Daniel Gould, Hiram Spofford, Barney Cobb, Enoch Allen and Nathaniel C. Hains.

Bedford Civil Government

Agreeably to an order of the commissioners of Cuyahoga county, the inhabitants of the present township of Bedford assembled at the house of Prentice 3. Ross, April 7, 1823, to elect township officers. John Dunham, Daniel Benedict and Aaron Shepard were appointed judges; Laban Ingersoll and A. 8. Barnum, clerks. The officers elected were as follows: Trustees, Daniel Benedict, James Orr, Laban Ingersoll; clerk, Abijah S. Barnum; treasurer, John Dunham; constables and listers, Peter Comstock, Darius R. Benedict; fence viewers, Prentice B. Ross, Wetherby Nye; overseers of the poor, Barzilla B. Burk, Stephen Comstock; road supervisors, Daniel Benedict, James Orr, Barzilla B. Burk. Jonathan I*isher, a justice of the peace of the county, qualified the clerk to perform the duties of his office.

A meeting to elect a justice of the peace for Bedford was held July 19, 1823, when John Dunham received seventeen votes; Janicl Benedict, eleven; and A. Shepard, one. Dunham declined to serye, and on the 9th of August another election was held which resulted in the choice of James Orr; he having received twenty-five votes. The justices in 1879 are A. M. Whitaker and EK. HW. Hammond. It is impossible to compile even a reasonably full list of those who have served as justices in the intermediate period; even as to other officers it is very difficult, some of the records having been destroyed or mislaid. As near as can be ascertained they have been as follows: in 185% the township appropriated five hundred dollars to purchase a tract of ground for burial purposes. A lot of three and one-third acres was selected in the southeastern part of the village, which has been well fenced, laid out in blocks, planted with fine trees, and a vault provided. The township also furnished a hearse and provided the services of a sexton. The cemetery contains some very fine monuments, and has become the general place of intermeut of the | people of the township.

On the 30th of May, 1874, the trustees of Bedford contracted with David Law,-of Willoughby, to build a town hall at the village, for $13,500. The hall was subsequently scated and furnished, making the entire cost about $15,000. The building is three stories high, witha Mansard roof of figured slate, and has a very attractive appearance. The lower story is fitted up for townsh'p offices, and has a room in which the general meetings are held. It was first oceupied for this purpose in the spring of 1875. Thesecond story forms a public hall, for lectures, concerts, and other occasions; and the third story has been fitted up by the Masons for the use of their order. The hall is an appropriate monument to the enterprise and progressive spirit of the people of Bedford.

Public Thoroughfares

The first roads of Bedford were merely underbrushed paths, but afterwards, when the township was organized, the people went to work in earnest to improve them. TheStute road, passing through the township diagonally from southeast to northwest, was built about 1830, and at once became a popular thoroughfare, and is still the principal highway of the township. The other highways were i due time improved, the low places being turnpiked. At present the roads are in a very fine condition, and in 1879 were in charge of the following supervisors: William Trimple, U. Wright, George Nichols, J. H. Stohlman, George Laing, David Winders, James Rees, D. Wells and Amos Allen.

In the spring of 1849 ground was broken in Bedford for the Cleveland and Pittsburg railroad, and in-1852 the road was fully opened for traflic. It has a length in Bedford of about seven miles, and at the village a good station has been provided. 'The railroad bridge across 'Tinker's creck is a very fine piece of massive stone masonry, more than one hundred feet high. About the same time that the railroad was built, the Twinsburg and Bedford plank road was constructed; and at a little later date the Cleveland and Mahoning railroad was opened through the northeastern part of the township. The plank road was abandoned about 1860.

Bedford Village

This is chiefly situated on lot forty-six, near the center of the township. It is located mainly on the north bank of Tinker's creek, which there flows through a deep gorge, the sides of which are almost perpendicular walls of rock, partly bare and partly covered with trees and shrubs, and presenting a very picturesque appearance. Ata berd of the creck, on lot fifty-six, the first effort to start a village was made about 1826 by Luther Willis. He was the owner of water-power which had been employed to operate machinery, but beyond the building of a few houses nothing resulted from the endeavors of the proprietor.

lot forty-six, a portion of which he caused to be surveyed for a village in December, 1834. The plat was made by John C. Sill, and embraced a number of lots south of the present village park (which was at that time devoted to the public use), and west of the turnpike road. Lots were also set aside for a hall for town meetings, and the several religious societies each received a building site. This liberal spirit, and other inducements held out by the proprietors, caused a number of improvements to be made, necessitating, in 1836, an addition of lots on the east side of the turnpike, which was also made by the Dunhams. Other additions were made by the owners of adjoining real estate from time to time, until the area of the village has been greatly extended.

It is not compactly built, and since the Cleveland and Pittsburg railroad located a station here, in 1852, it has partaken somewhat of the characteristics of a suburban village in relation to Cleveland. It is only six miles distant from the limits of that city, and has a population of about eight hundred. 'The village contains a very fine public hall, a Methodist, a Disciple, a Baptist and a Presbyterian church, an elegant Union School building, a number of comfortable residences, and the various establishments mentioned a little further on. :

Bedford was incorporated according to the proyisions of an act of the general assembly, passed March 15, 1837, which set forth ''that so much of the township of Bedford, im the county of Cuyahoga, as herein described, viz.: The whole of lots forty-five, forty-six and fifty-six, and that part of lot fifty-five which lays northeast of Tinker's creck; also a strip thirty-two rods width off the south end of lot thirtysix, and a strip of thirty-two rods width off the south end of lot thirty-five, west as far as the west line of Justus Remington's land, be and the same is hereby created a town corporate, and shall hereafter be known by the name and title of the 'Town of Bedford.' " An election of a mayor, a recorder, and five trustees was ordered to be holden the following April, and yearly thereafter. 'The mayor chosen was George M. Payne; the recorder, David B. Dunham.

All the records prior to 1860 have been destroyed by fire, so that no complete list of officers can be given. The village allowed its first charter to lapse, and on the 3d day of May, 1852, a new act of incorporation was granted, with the limits before given, which yet remain as originally fixed.

Since 1859 the principal officers have been as follows: 1860, J. C. Cleveland, mayor; A. M. Whitaker, recorder. 1861, J. C. Cleveland, mayor; W. L. Lord, recorder. 1862, L. D. Benedict, mayor; C. A. Ennis, recorder, 1863 « 64, F. H. Cannon, mayor; 5. P. Gray, recorder. 1865. B. J. Wheelock, mayor; Sidney Smith, recorder. 1866, R. C. Smith, mayor; H. Freeman, recorder. 1867, A. J. Wells, mayor; Sidney Smith, recorder. 1868, Benjamin Lemoin, mayor; Sidney Smith, recorder. 1869 to 1873, C. A. Ennis, mayor; A. M. Whitaker, recorder. 1874

In 1879 the village officers were as follows: V. A. Taylor, mayor; W. 8. Warner, recorder; M. L. Hillard, C. B. Marble, J. C. Nelson, C. A. Ennis, John II. Gause, J. H. Lamson, councilmen; Robert Forbes, treasurer; If. P. Bredes, marshal. <A tax of three and one-half mills was levied on the valuation of the village for all the purposes of the corporation in 1879.

Post Office, Stores And Iiotels

The Bedford post office dates from about 1826. Ziba Willis was the first postmaster. Tis successor in 1833 was D. B. Dunham, who held the office until 1842. At that time there was one mail per day, by stage; the arrival varied from two to ten hours, according to the condition of the roads. The successors of Mr. Dunham have been J. P. Robinson, R. D. Benedict, Leverett Tarbell, Levi Marble, and the present postmaster, Charles B. Marble. The office enjoys good mail privileges.

The first store in the village, and also the first in the township, was opened by David B. Dunham, in November, 1831, in a building which stood at the forks of the road, opposite the present hotel. He occupied that building eight years, when he removed to a fine stone block, which stood just north of his present residence, and which was occupied by him when it was destroyed by fire in June, 1878. In that building was transacted, for a number of years, a business which aggregated more than $100,000 per year, and which made Bedford one of the best trading points in the county, outside of Cleveland. Other prominent merchants have been F. H. Cannon, J. P. Robinson, W. B. Hillman, Paddock & Esselstyne, George M. Payne, Zachariah Paddock, Chester Hamilton, Watson I. Gray, M. B. Dawson, Leverett Tarbell, A. H. Comstock, James Thompson, L. D. Ilathaway, L. P. Gray, ete. The present merchants are Newman Robinson, since 1845; Robert Forbes, since 1865; C. B. Marble, L. C. Hains, Joseph Hains, C. H. Dustin and J. R. Tudor & Oo.

Enoch Allen had the first public house in the village, about 1829, near the present chair factories. He was followed by Amos Belden and others. In 1832 Calvin Barnes put up a good hotel, north of the park, which was widely known as the "' Checkered House." Among other keepers were Silas Gray and George Lathrop. In 1871 the house was destroyed by fire. In 1832, also, the present '' Fountain House" was built by Levi Marble, who kept it a few years, and was followed by Abner Heston and others. Th« present proprietor is Charles Turner, and it is thc only hotel in the place. Formerly hotels were kept in the stone block and at other places; the village having, at one time, had five public houses.

Physicians And The Press

Dr. J. M. Turner, who came about 1828 and lived a little south of the village, was the first physician and was in practice about five years. Dr. Charles Goodrich came about 1830, but fell a victim to the cholera in 1832; Dr. J. P. Robinson was in practice from January, 1882, till his removal to Cleveland in 1865. Dr. D. G. Streeter came in 1845, and remained until his death, October, 1878, and Dr. S. M. Tarbell was one of his contemporaries. Others, formerly in practice, were Doctors A. W. Oliver, Noble H. Finney, Brainard, - - Gerold and B. M. Hutchinson. The present physicians are Doctors C. M. Mawley, N. A. Dalrymple - - Daniels, and N. B. Armstrong. The veteran Dr. T. Garlick, for many years one of Cleveland's most eminent surgeons, is a retired citizen of the village.

In 1838 John Hammon, of Ravenna, began the publication of the Bedford /ntelligencer, a small sheet devoted to local news and the interests of the Democratic party. In five years it was discontinued, and the place has since been without a paper.

Manufacturing Interests

The first manufacturing in the township was on Tinker's creek, near the line of Independence. Sometime about 1815 two men, named Adams and Starr, put up a sawmill and a gristmill, both small, at a point about thirty rods above the mills now situated in that locality. The first mills were suffered to go down, and in 1820 Culverson and Boland improved the present site. The mills erected by them soon after became the property of Moses Gleeson, and have since been operated by him and his family.

About 1821 Daniel Benedict built a sawmill, and soon after a carding machine, on Tinker's creek, near the State road, at Bedford village.. These were destroyed by fire, but on the site there is now a sawmill, belonging to Henry Wick. Below this point Luther Willis built mills in 1825, which are at present operated by Levi Marble. Near by is a building in which blinds were formerly made and which, at a later day, was a chair factory, but which is at present little used.

Farther down the stream, and just inside the corporate limits of Bedford village, Stephen C. Powers built and set in operation a woolen factory, in 1842, which was in operation about fifteen years. Here, also, was formerly a sawmill; but at present the power is unemployed. In 1843 a pail factory was built by Lee Lord and Enoch Allen, which was carried on successfully a few years but was then destroyed by fire. Formerly a brush factory gave employment to a number of men, but after a short season it was removed. :

Hinman Robinson. About 1845 Robinson & Hillman engaged in tanning on a large scale, but after a few years operation the enterprise was abandoned. About 1840 Comstock, Kirkham & Dickey put up a foundry near the ereek, which was burned. It was subsequently rebuilt near the railroad, where it remained in operation until 1868, when it was again destroyed by fire.

rolling mill. <A large capital stock was subscribed, and II. N. Slade chosen the first president. A good mill was built near the railroad bridge, in which from fifty to seventy-five hands were employed. The mill became the property of E. W. John about 1869, and subsequently was owned by the '' Leetonia Iron and Coal Company," which also failed. After standing idle a few years, it was purchased by parties resident in Massillon, who removed it to that place, where it is now in operation. During the time it was carried on at Bedford, it is estimated the place sustained a direct and indirect loss of more than two hundred thousand dollars, which was chargeable to that source, while the benefit derived from it was very slight.

A machine shop for general iron work was built about 1854 by M. A. Purdy & Son, near the above site, which was last carried onby C. Purdy. In July, 1875, the establishment was totally destroyed by fire.

The Bedford Chair Factories

These have for many years been among the principal industries of the place, and are the only ones whieh have survived the mutations of time.. In 1851 B. J. Wheelock began the manufacture of cane-seated chairs in the old building by the mill, having at first a force of five men. Changes in the firm followed, and the capacity of the shop was largely increased, more than twenty men being employed. In 1855 B. J. Wheelock and L. F. Osborne built a large factory on the hill north of the old establishment, the latter being continued meanwhile by Lord, Park & Co. and others. In 1858 the new shops were enlarged by the firm of Wheelock & Wright, and about the same time M. A. Purdy & Son erected a new shop devoted to the chair business, in thesame locality, and operated it a number of years. In 1867 the different chair manufacturers in the village united their interests and formed the Bedford Chair Company. Another building was then erected to connect the two factories on the hill, the establishment then being made to assume the shape it now has. At that time about fifty men were employed. At present thc factory is operated by Wheelock & Co., on a mor limited scale, in the manufacture of single canc-seated work only.

As carly as 1833 Benjamin Fitch carried on thc manufacture of splint-bottom chairs at his home in the northern part of the township, on lot fifteen. Here W. O. Taylor learned the chair-maker's trade, and in 1844 began work on his own account. In 1863 he erected a shop in this locality, in which he shortly after began the manufacture of cane-scated chairs, although still continuing to make splint work, In 1874 his factory was removed to Bedford village, where the business has since been yery successfully carried on by W. O. Taylor & Son. At present they occupy a large building more than one hundred feet long, with several capacious wings, in which sixty being given employment outside of the factory, in weaving and braiding chair seats. The work of this factory has attained a wide reputation, and in 1876 was awarded the medal at the Centennial Exhibition. More than forty styles of single and double-seated cane work are made, and the demand for the wares of the factory is so great that it is taxed to its utmost to supply it. EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS. |

The records of the township are silent in regard to the early condition of the public schools, nothing of interest but a list of teachers prior to 1840 being obtainable. 'This includes the names of Miss Barnes, H. L. Sill, C. Ruggles, R. Root, W. Johnson, D. Baldwin, M. Smith, Polly Allen, Betsey Predner, Mary Ann Sill, Laura Gould, Mary McCartney, Mariah Peck and L. Ruggles. In 1848 there were eleven districts in the township, having an aggregate of six hundred and sixty-two children of school age. The school fund amounted to $665.40.

Thirty years later there were two fractional districts and eight sub-districts, in addition to the Union School of Bedford village. Not including the latter, the expenditure for school purposes were $3,441.56. Thirty-three weeks of school were maintained, and the aggregate enrollment was one hundred and ninetysix boys and one hundred and seventy-five girls. The average attendance was nearly three hundred, all the scholars being engaged in the study of the common branches, except two. The average wages of the male teachers was $36.00; of female teachers, $16.50. There were eight school houses the value of which was set at $10,500. The most of them present an attractive appearance on the outside, and are comfortably fitted up on the inside. In 1879 the board of education was composed of R. J. Hathaway (District No. 4), president; W. 8. Warner, clerk; Ozro Orborne, of District No. 1; A. J. Hansay, of No. 2; H. H. Cox, of No. 3; George Laing, of No. 5; F. B. McConnor, of No. 6; Leonard Hershey, of No. 7; 8. S. Drake, of No. 8.

Bedford Village Union Sciiool

The district was originally organized to embrace only the territory within the corporate limits of the village, but in 1874 the bounds were extended so as to inelude all of lots thirty-six, thirty-seven, fortyfour, forty-five, forty-six, fifty-three, fifty-four, fiftyfive, fifty-six and parts of thirty-five, forty-seven, fifty-seven, "sixty-five, sixty-six and sixty-seven. In 1873 the present school building was erected, under the direction of a board of education composed of Robert Forbes, R. Moffatt and W. H. Wheelock, and was ready for oecupancy in the early part of 1874. It is a very handsome edifice of brick, forty by fifty_ six feet, two stories high, with basement, and cost $15,000. There are four rooms, but at present only three are occupied for school purposes. The schools were attended by two hundred and forty-one pupils in 1878, the average attendance being two hundred and five. Thirty-cight weeks of school were maintained at a cost of nearly $1,600, under the principalship of R. C. Smith.

Since 1877 the board of education has been composed of six persons. The present members are J. W. Derthwick; president; N. L. Hillard, secretary; Robert Forbes, treasurer; W. T. Wheelock, M. B. Dawson and J. I. Bently.

Religious Societies

Soon after 1830 several religious societies were formed in Bedford, which failed to maintain their organization more than a few years. There being no church building in the place, a small framed meeting house was erected about this period by Mrs. Fanny Willis, which was the first place of worship of the several societies organized before 1841.

The Disciples were the first to form a society that proved permanent. In May, 1830, Rey. EH. Williams visited the village to preach, and for some time came every month thereafter. In August Noel C. Barnum was baptized by Mr. Williams, and in April, 1831, Enoch Allen and six others received the same rite. Preaching was continued by Rey. Messrs. Williams, William Hayden, J. J. Moss and others, and in December, 1833, was organized with twenty members and the following officers: Thos. Marble, overseer; Enoch Allen and George M. Payne, deacons. The following year these were under the ministrations of the Rev. A. B. Green. In 1834 Rev. J. J. Moss became a resident of Bedford, and for five years taught and preached from house to house. In 1837 a great revival prevailed whereby thirty-two persons were added to the membership of the church. In 1835 Enoch Allen and Allen Robinette were elected overseers; Samuel Barnes, N. C. Barnum and W. W. Walker, deacons.

The church has enjoyed numerous revivals; in 1843 receiving one hundred and six additions, and in 1848 fifty-four additions - among them being thirty persons who had formerly belonged to the Baptist church. In 1852, under the preaching of Rev. A. B. Green, one hundred and fifteen persons joined at one meeting. The aggregate membership has been very large, reaching nearly twenty-five hundred; and from the Bedford society haye originated fifty churches in various parts of the country. At present there are three hundred and twenty-five resident, and one hundred non-resident members. Among those who have originated here as ministers were Irvin A. Searles, Theo. Johnson, Burdette Goodale, Alonzo Dunham, J. P. Robinson, William Robinson, Charles F. Bartlett, Sidney Smith, and a number of others who expound the Word at home.

The elders of the chureh have been, in the order of their election: Thomas Marble, Allen Robinette, Enoch Allen, Sidney Smith, James Young, C. F. Bartlett, R. S. Benedict, S. F. Lockwood, James Egbert,* W. H. Millman, A. TT. Hubbell, Alonzo Drake,* R. J. Hathaway,* Hiram Woods and A. C. Hubbell; and the deacons have been Enoch Allen, George M. Payne, Samuel Barnes, N. C. Barnum, W. W. Walker, A. Gray, Charles F. Bartlett, George Comstock, Silvan F. Lockwood, Augustin Collins, Silas A. Hathaway, Daniel Gould, N. P. Benedict, Lee Lord, J. 8. Benedict, A. T. Hubbell, D. D. Robinson, N. A. Egbert, Augustus Rincar,* W. W. Wells, M. B. Dawson, J. W. Derthwick,* J. M. Egbert,* V. A. Taylor,* and Johnson MeFarland.*

In 1856 the church employed its first pastor (the ministers until that period having been evangelists), the Rey. J. O. Beardsley, who afterwards became a foreign missionary. His successors in the pastoral office have been J. H. Jones, James H. Woods, A. B. Green, R. Moffit, W. L. Anderson, W. J. Sharp, 8. W. Brown, L. Cooley, and E. D. Barclay the present pastor. ;

The meeting-house was erected in 1838. It has since been much enlarged and improved, being at present a very handsome edifice the value of which is estimated at six thousand dollars. The present trustees are Alonzo Drake, V. A. Taylor, Johnson McFarland, John Way, Milo Hathaway, . R. Hamlin and S. J. Clark; E. A. Ennis is clerk of the board.

Many years ago Dr. J. P. Robinson was the superintendent of a flourishing Sunday-school, which has been continued with unabated interest until the present time. It has one hundred and twenty-five members, R. J. Hathaway being the superintendent.

For nearly twenty years the board of managers of the Ohio Missionary Society were located at Bedford; Dr. J. P. Robinson being the chairman, and James Egbert, the treasurer. In later years the mectings have been held at Cleveland.

The First Baptist Church In Bedford

This religious body was organized November 18, 1834, with the following members: Stephen Rusco, William Wing, Salome Rusco, Phebe Hotehkiss, Isabella Thomas, Silvan P. Lockwood, Ambrose K. Lockwood, Fanny Willis, Mary Robinson, Marinda Holcomb, Clarissa Dunham, Hannah Wing, Lucretia Hammond and John Hammond, by the Rev. S. R, Willard, who also became the first pastor. Stephen Rusco was elected the first clerk, and Silvan P. Lock- wood and John Hammond, the first deacons. In September, 1835, the church became connected with the Portage Association, sending as delegates the pastor, Rev. Mr. Willard, Deacon Hammond and Stephen Rusco.

In 1836 John Hammond resigned his deaconship, and John Brainard was chosen in his place. The latter resigned in 1843, and George Morse, John Hammond and Newman Robinson were elected. Augustus Pease also served in this capacity. The present deacons are Newman Robinson and Daniel Cook.

The second pastor of the church was the Rey. E. Hi. Holley, who assumed that relation in February, 1842. The succeeding pastors, with the year in which each began his service, have been as follows: 1844, Rev. W. Levisse; 1846, Rev. W. G. Johnson; 1850, Rev. Mr. Simonds; 1851, A. Freeman; 1855, Rev. Alonzo Wadhams; 1857, Rev. E. A. Turner; 1859, Rev. Mr. Page; 1860, Rev. Mr. Heath; 1861, Rev. J. L. Phillips; 1864, Rev. Mr. Haven; 1866, Rev. J. B. Iutton; 1867, Rey. G. W. Scott; 1869, Rev. F. Tolhurst; 1875, Rev. Mr. Stephenson; 1876, Rey. 8. Early, who yet continues as a supply, and is also superintendent of a Sunday school which has two hundred members. The church reports ninety-five members. i

In 1839 the present church edifice was erected, and on the 19th of February, 1840, it was consecrated by the Rey. Levi Tucker. It has since been repaired, and is still a comfortable place of worship. The present trustees are Geo. Cowan, Newman Robinson and Frederick ILarter.

Tie Bedford Methodist Episcopal Church

About 1833 a class of Methodists was formed at Bedford, having among its members N. C. Haines, his wife, Rachel, and daughter, Polly; Benjamin Fitch and wife, Daniel Benedict and wife, and others who had formerly belonged to the Reformed Methodists. Revs. N. C. Iaines and - - Baldwin, acting in the eapacity of local preachers, were the first ministers of the class, which did not inerease very rapidly in membership. After ministers were sent here by the conference, the services were held in the Willis mecting house, which afterwards became the property of the Methodists, and was moved by them to its present location. In a remodeled cendition it forms a pleasant place of worship, valued at $2,500. The present trustees are 8. M. Hammond, Edward Corkill, A. M. Whitaker, G. C. Tinker, J. W. Hickman and W. 'T. Wheelock.

The church has at present about one hundred members, and the following stewards: G. C. Tinker, J. R. Tudor, W. W. Corkill and A. J. Loockwood. 'The pastor since September, 1878, has been the Rev. A. T. Copeland. Among other Methodist clergy here were the Revs. Alfred Bronson, 8. Warrallo, Ira

The Bedford Presbyterian Church

The house of worship of this body was erected in 1861, by a congregation which had been formed previous to that date by the Revs. F. I. Brown and John Andrews, of the Wooster presbytery. There were sixteen members, and Milton A. Purdy and B. J. Wheelock were the first ruling elders. Before the meeting house was built, Rev. William Campbell became the first pastor, the services being held in Hutchinson hall and other places. He served the church in connection with that of Northfield, and the subsequent pastors were also in the employ of both churches. These were the Rev. William B. Marsh and the Rey. William Hamilton, D.D. After the latter confined his labors solely to the Northfield church, many of the members in the southern part of the township withdrew from the Bedford church and conuected themselves with the former body. Others removed, and the church was left so weak that for the past six years the meeting house has been unoccupicd.

Other religious socicties have had a brief existence at Bedford village and in the western part of the township, where a meeting house was erected on Dunham street, but all have now become extinct.

Bedford Lodge No. 375, F. And A. M.

This lodge received a dispensation October 17, 1866, and a year Jater was duly chartered with the following members: J. B. Hains, ©. N. Hamlin, R. C. Smith, A. A. Benedict, W. H. Sawyer, Levi Case, Enoch Allen, A. J. Wells, J. J. Brittan S. 8. Peck, L. C: Hains, Samuel Patrick, E. Cowles and H. UH. Palmer. 'The officers were J. B. Hains, W. M.; L. C. Hains, J. W.; 8. 8S. Peck, secretary; B. F. Lillie, treasurer; E. J. Parke, J. D.; M. I'. Canfield, 8. D., and F. Mighton, tyler. The lodge has had one hundred and eleven members, and at present reports fifty-five. In 1874 the upper story of the town hall was fitted up for lodge purposes, at a cost of $1,500. The size of the main hall is thirty by thirty-six feet; the size of that and the banquet hall is thirty-six by seventy feet. The present officers are 8. 8. Peck, W. M.; S. H. Gleeson, 8. W.; William Golling, J. W.; E. H. Hammond, secretary; C. B. Marble, treasurer; " J. C. Nelson, S. D.; William Klaner, J. D., and H. Conant, tyler.

Hon. THEODORE Brecx is a descendant of the old Puritan families of New England, and boasts ancestors who were prominently identified with the early history of the State of Massachusetts. His father, John Breck, was a native of Northampton, Mass., and was, in company with his brothers, engaged at Boston in the importation of iron. He served in the army during the war of 1812, and was commander of the forces stationed at Fort Independence, Boston harbor. He was one of the original purchasers of the Western Reserve lands from the State of Connecticut, and upon its division among the different proprietors was allotted parts of townships in the various counties. In the town named after him in Cuyahoga County he originaily held the title-deeds for one-half of its territory. He died in 1827. Theodore Breck's mother, Clarissa (who died in 1831), was the daughter of Rev. Thomas Allen, the first settled minister of Pittsfield, Mass.; a man of strong and deep religious principles and very patriotic during the Revolutionary war. When Gen. Burgoyne was marching to invade Vermont, Mr. Allen heard of the approach of the British during the Sabbath service, and thereupon leaving his pulpit he hastily formed a company of Minute-Men, and hastened to the support of the Americans. His son, William R. Allen, was president of Bowdoin and Dartmouth Colleges in the early part of the present century. Rev. Thomas Allen's wife, Elizabeth, was a daughter of Rev. Jonathan Lee, the first settled pastor at Salisbury, Mass. His wife, Elizabeth, was the child of Rey. Joseph Metcalf, who was united in 1707 to Alice, daughter of Rev. William Adams. The latter married, in 1680, Alice, daughter of Maj. William Bradford, who was the son of Governor William and Alice (Southworth) Bradford. This shows that Theodore Breck is a lineal descendant of one of Massachusetts' early colonial governors. John and Clarissa (Allen)

He was born at Northampton, Mass., Nov. 30, 1808. Receiving an academical course of study, he spent his youth at educational institutions in Hadley and Amherst, Mass. After the death of his father, in company with his two surviving brothers, Edward and John, he moved West to look after the large landed interest left by their parent. He located at Brecksville in 1830, and became engaged in agricultural pursuits and in the mercantile trade, and later on became a notary public. His brothers finally settled in Brecksville, the elder engaging in the practice of medicine, the younger in farming.

Mr. Breck was formerly a member of the old Whig party, but joined the Republican party upon its organization, and has since been an active and prominent worker in its ranks. He has been called to serve as county commissioner, 1843. to 1846; was appointed to fill the vacancy in the same board in 1875; was a member of the State Legislature of 1846-48 ; member of the Senate of 1860-61, and represented his constituents in the 63d General Assembly of 1876-77. In all of his political positions he has given universal satisfaction and gained the respect of the people at large irrespective of party. Mr. Breck is a man ot medium height, and though over seventy years of age enjoys the best of health. Although never married, he is rightly called the father of the town of his adoption. His hand has always been ready to help, and his purse to alleviate, the wants of the destitute orphan or the desolate widow, and though he has no posterity to transmit his name to future generations, it will remain green and live in the memory of the people of this county for many years to come. By his many acts of benevolence and kindness he has erected a monument that will long endure.