Hiram Township

Hiram Township

HIRAM, the third township settled in the county, and known with its present limits as Town 5, Range 7, was originally the property of Col. Daniel Tilden, Daniel Green, Joseph Metcalf, Levi Case, John Fitch, Joseph Burnham and Joseph Perkins, all of Connecticut. Hiram then comprised the territory now known as Mantua, Shalersville, Freedom, Windham and Nelson. The early history of Hiram has been kept by several persons in the township, who have made special efforts in ascertaining the correct facts of those primi- five times, and among them Mr. Alva TJdall has been particularly active and careful in collecting these matters, and to him the writer is indebted for the most of the information contained in this chapter.

There is some doubt respecting the first settler in Hiram. By some it is thought that Abraham S. Honey, who made the first settlement in Mantua, was the man, and that he came as early as 1799, but that cannot be, for he, with his brother-in-law, Rufus Edwards, settled in Mantua, or at least made some improvements there, in the fall of 1798. Mr. John Harmon, one of the first settlers in Mantua, was under the impression that a man named William W. Williams came in the spring of 1799, built a cabin and made a clearing, but that he soon after left and settled in Cuyahoga County, where, in 1800, he built the first mill in that county. The truth, possibly, of this matter is, that when Honey left Mantua, which he did about 1802, he stopped during the spring or summer in Hiram, made a small clearing and built a cabin, but getting tired of the country, went away in the fall to Cuyahoga, where it is known that he lived several years.

In 1802 Elijah Mason, Elisha Hutchinson and Mason Tildeu came to the township and located their lands. Mason, who was from Lebanon, Conn. , selected the west half of Lot 23; Tilden, also from Connecticut, selected Lot 22, and Hutchinson, who was from Herkimer County, N. Y., selected a portion of Lot 23. They then returned to their Eastern homes. A permanent settler, but whose actual residence was only about one year or less, came in during this spring also. He was John Flemings, who began improvements on the southeast corner of the west half of Lot 33. He girdled the timber on sixteen acres and built a cabin, also put out a crop of corn and potatoes, which was the first crop raised in the township.

In the spring of 1803 Mason with his two sons, Roswell M. and Peleg S., lads of seventeen and nineteen, and Tilden and Hutchinson, came out, leaving their families at home, and made improvements on their lands, Mason clearing about 22 acres and putting it out in wheat, and building a cabin. Hutchinson also cleared twenty acres and built a cabin; Tilden, in like manner, clearing and building. Shortly after they came they discovered and named Silver Creek. They all then went back and were preparing to come out permanently the next spring, but the two sons of Mason refusing to again go into the wilds of the Reserve, the father was compelled to change his plans, and he purchased a farm in Vermont. This action of Mason induced the others to forego for the time emigrating Westward. Three of their hired men, however, were pleased with the country and concluded to settle here. They were Richard Redden, Jacob Wirt and Samuel Wirt, from Pennsylvania. Flemings, also becoming discouraged, concluded to leave when he found that Mason, Hutchinson and . Tilden were not coming, and he sold his place to Redden, the Wirts at the same time settling on the east half of Lot 38. Redden sent for his father and family, which was the first white family to winter in the township. Mason came in the summer of this year, 1804, and harvested his wheat, which was the first in the township, turning out well. His two companions disposed of their effects in Ohio as well as they could, and left the country.

For several years after these first few settlers named came in but little progress was made. In the fall of 1804 William Fenton began improvements on the east half of the west half of Lot 38, and Cornelius Baker on the west half of the same. In this year, also, came Col. John Garrett and Abraham Dyson, a blacksmith, but fuller mention is made of these two settlers in the history of Nelson Township.

country, and came from Vermont to settle on Lot 32, which had been given him by his father. His father owned considerable land here and Roswell was made agent for it, but instead of settling down to the life of a farmer, hired others to improve the land, and studied law.

The most of the settlers, up to about 1807, were from Pennsylvania, and were poor, but generous and hospitable. They were usually squatters, and put such improvements on their land, as frequently, when the owner came around, to sell enough of it to pay for the whole and still retain a fair sized farm. From about 1809, however, the New England element largely predominated, but even at this date the number of inhabitants was only twenty. Thomas Johnson, an Irishman, came in this year. He had lived in Pennsylvania, but moved from Trumbull County to this township. Simon Babcock, of Connecticut, came in the fall of 1809, and settled on Lot 22.

In 1810 Pasley Hughes with a yoke of oxen came in from Vermont, and settled on the property improved in 1803 by Elijah Mason, Hughes having purchased it before leaving his native State. In the fall of the same year Ephraim Hackett, son-in-law of Hughes, came in with his family and settled on the west part of the east half of Lot 22. The population was now about thirty. In June, Orrin Pitkin and wife came in and settled where Honey had improved on Lot 32, in 1802.

In 1811, on the 16th day of August, George Young, James Young and Seth Cole, each with large families, came from Sterling, Conn. James Young, who was a tailor, settled on the west half of Lot 18; George, on the east half of the same lot, and the west part of Lot 25, and Cole bought the improvements on Lot 38. On the 2d of October Elisha Hutchinson, having changed his mind, also, in regard to the West, arrived with his family and settled upon the spot which he had cleared in 1803, the brush having been cleared off by Isaac Mills, of Nelson, whom he had employed. There were at this time, the fall of 1811, eleven families, embracing fifty-eight persons, in the township.

In 1812 Thomas F. Young came with his family from Windham, Conn., and settled at the Center. He was the father of Clinton and Thomas Young, who still reside on the old place. In September, 1813, Benjamin Hinckley and family came in from Connecticut and settled on the west part of the west half of Lot 38, and purchased considerable land.

In 1816 Symonds and Jason Ryder, with their father, mother and sisters arrived and settled on land previously located by Symonds. Aruna Tilden also came in this year, bringing his family, which included his brother-in-law, John Jennings, and settled on the west half of Lot 37. In the winter following Elijah Mason, fulfilling his intention of thirteen years before, brought his family and settled on the west half of Lot 43.

In 1817 Gersham Judson came from Mantua and settled on Lot 31, but he afterward sold to Paul Pitkin and moved away. Stephen B. Pulsif er and family settled on Lot 19, and Ira Herrick with his father and mother began on the east end of Lot 33. Daniel Tilden, Benjamin Tilden, John Tilden and Polly Tilden also came in the spring. In October Ebenezer Pinney settled on Lot 31, which afterward passed to Samuel Udall, and from him to others. These arrivals ran the population up to 120.

In 1818, early in January, Daniel Hampton came from Trumbull County and settled on the west part of the east half of Lot 33, and about the 23d of the same month Samuel Udall, John Johnson, Martin Miller, Charles Loomis and Thomas Cowen left Pomfret and Hartford, Vt., with their families, which were all large, bound for Hiram. Udall had four yoke of oxen, three horses and a cow. The rest were also supplied well with oxen and horses. The weather was cold, the snow was deep, and they were six weeks on the road. Arriving in Hiram March 4, 1818, Udall settled on the west halves of Lots 24 and 27, Johnson on the west ends of Lots 22 and 39, Miller on the west half of Lot 36, Loomis on the middle part of Lot 39, and Cowen moved into a cabin owned by Richard Kedden. In the following summer came Gideon Cbapin, Lemuel Herrick, Miles T. Norton, Joel Button, Elisha Taylor, Horace A. Loomis, Curtis Eggleston, Truman Brace, Capt. William Harris and Charles H. Paine, the last-named moving in the fall to Freedom, and becoming the first settler of that township.

In March, 1819, John M. Tilden with his family came in and settled on the west part of the east half of Lot 25, and in June came Paul Pitkin. In 1821 Col. Daniel Tilden, one of the original proprietors of the township, came in and lived in seclusion till 1S35, in which year he died at the age of ninety. He had been a man of great prominence in his native State, but the party in politics opposed to him so wronged him that he became soured and sought obscurity in the wilds of the West. About this time came Deacon John Rudolph, originally from Shenandoah County, Va., but who had resided in Nelson from 1806. One of his sons, Zeb Rudolph, married a daughter of Elijah Mason, and their daughter is the widow of the lamented President Garfield, who fell by the hand of the cowardly assassin, Guiteau. The population in 1820 was about 225.

In the fall of 1807 Gersham Judson, a widower, residing in Mantua, was married to Miss Sarah Redden, and from that time there was not another wedding- in the township till 1817, when Charles H. Paine married a daughter of Elijah Mason, Parthenia Mason, who was Mrs. Garfield's aunt.

The first birth was that of Edwin Babcoek, son of Simeon Babcock, on March 3, 1811. The second was that of John Fenton on the 11th day of the same month, the mother of the child dying at the same time; this was the first death in the township.

The first blacksmith to open business was Abraham Dyson, who came in 1804. The first mill in the township was built by Lemuel Punderson at the Rapids, in 1807, for Squire Law, of Connecticut, but a flood came in the fall and carried it off. In 1808 the dam was rebuilt and a saw-mill put in operation. Several others followed. Elisha Taylor, a tanner, currier and shoemaker came in 1818 and commenced business. In 1816 the first postoffice was opened at the Center, and Thomas F. Young was appointed Postmaster, an office which he held for thirty-six years, till the day of his death in November, 1852. The first stock of goods and first store opened was in 1820, by Deacon John D. Hazen. The first frame dwelling-house was erected in 1819 by Jesse Bruce. It stood on the hill a few rods east of Alva Udall's barn on Lot 27. A few years previous to this Thomas Johnson and Elisha Hutchinson had erected frame barns, which were the first frame buildings in the township. A distillery was erected about 1820, as Hiram had to keep pace with Mantua and Nelson, each of which had two of these institutions in operation. The first road in the north part of the county was from Warren to Cleveland, built in 1800, and ran through the center of Hiram. James Young was the first tailor, and Seth Cole the first cooper to settle in the township; they came in 1811. The first military company was organized by the election of Symonds Ryder, Captain; Orrin Hutchinson, Lieutenant; Silas Raymond, Ensign; John Tilden, Orderly Sergeant; George Udall, Drummer; John M. Tilden, Fifer. Thomas F. Young was elected a Justice of the Peace in 1814, being the first Justice in the Township; he served three terms.

ists and Congregationalists or Presbyterians and among that number wereEev. Caleb Pitkin, Rev. Shadrach Bostwick and Rev. R. R. Roberts, vs^ho preached all over the Reserve, and in fact all over northern Ohio, but the Baptist denomination seems to have taken the lead up to along about the year 1830. They had a small church at the Rapids, and the Congregationalists had also a small church. In 1835 the Disciples of Christ organized a church at the south road schoolhouse, w^hich consisted of thirteen members. This congregation grew rapidly, and in 1844 they erected a church building, which about 1856 was burned, vphen the present tasteful and commodious edifice was erected; the membership now runs into the hundreds. In 1844 the Methodists built a neat frame church just north of the Corners at the Center, but the society not being very prosperous, it was deemed advisable to dispose of the building and appropriate the proceeds otherwise.

In the year 1813 Benjamin Hinckley arrived, and on December 13 he commenced teaching school in a log-house that had been put up in the fall. He taught ten weeks ending February 22, 1814, and had twenty scholars. There were seven Youngs, three Johnsons, two Hutchinsons, two Dysons, two Hughes, two Hinckleys, a Hampton and a Judson. From about this time schools were maintained in the township, but there was but one school district. In 1816 two districts were formed, each having its log-schoolhouse, and were known as the Center and South Districts respectively. During the year 1820 a frame schoolhouse was begun in the South District, and after much effort it was completed. In the Center District some time afterward, a frame building was commenced for a schoolhouse, and to have a Masonic hall above, but it was never finished.

The Western Reserve Eclectic Institute, formerly so well and favorably known throughout northern Ohio, was the parent of Hiram College. Previous to 1850 there had been a growing feeling among the Disciples of the Western Reserve that they needed an educational institution located somewhere in northern Ohio. Delegates from the prominent churches of the Disciples met to consider the matter. They were unanimous in the opinion that a school should be established, and after several meetings decided, November 7, 1849, to locate it at Hiram. Its charter was granted March 1, 1850. The same summer, near, but a little south of the crest of the water-shed dividing the waters of the lake from those of the Ohio, in the middle of an eight-acre enclosure that has since become one of the most beautiful campuses in the State, as it is by nature one of the most commanding, a substantial and commodious brick building, three stories high, with a front of eighty-four feet, and a depth of sixty-four feet, was erected.

In this building, November 27, 1850, the new school went into operation, under the name of the "Western Reserve Eclectic Institute," the name having been suggested by Isaac Errett, then pastor of the Church of the Disciples in Warren.

The work done was substantially that of an academic school of high grade. The aims of the school may be stated as follows: 1. To provide a sound scientific and literary education. 2. To temper and sweeten such education with moral and scriptural knowledge.

February 20, 1867, the Board decided to clothe the school with collegiate powers and responsibilities. As Hiram had become widely and favorably known as the seat of the Institute, the name now chosen was "Hiram College." The change in the name and rank of the institution did not essentially change its aims and spirit.

Hiram Toavnship

A. S. Hayden, a cultivated and well-known minister of the Disciples, was the first Principal. For seven years he served in this capacity with great acceptance. Associated with him much of the time were Thomas Munnell. Norman Dunshee and Almeda Booth.

James A. Garfield, who had taught under Mr. Hayden's administration, succeeded to the Principalship. The Institute, which had been prosperous under Mr. Hayden's administration, now reached a still higher degree of prosperity. Mr. Garfield was Principal from 1857 to 1861, and won a wide popularity as a teacher and manager, and as a lecturer on general and scientific topics. His associates were Norman Dunshee, Harvey W. Everest, J. H. Rhodes, Almeda Booth, J. M. Atwater and B. A. Hinsdale.

From 1861 to 1867 there were frequent changes in the head of the school. H. W. Everest, C. W. Heywood, A. J. Thomson and J. M. Atwater served for brief periods, the name of James A. Garfield as Advising Principal appearing much of the time. This period was in some particulars Hiram's darkest day. Within this period came the Civil war, and many of Hiram's best workers were called to the battlefield.

As a chartered college Hiram began its work August 31, 1867. Dr. Silas E. Shepai-d was its first President. He was succeeded by Prof. J. M. Atwater, who in 1871 was succeeded by Prof. B. A. Hinsdale. Prof. Hinsdale's administration continued until June, 1882, when Vice-President Dean became Acting President. At the beginning of the collegiate year 1883-84 the Board of Trustees were called upon to choose some one to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of President Hinsdale. After due deliberation their choice fell upon the present incumbent. President G. H. Laugh lin. President Laugh lin came from Oskaloosa College, Iowa, with which institiition he had been for nine years connected and of which he was the President. The experience of the year seems to have shown the wisdom of the choice. He has entered upon and pursued his labors like one schooled to the position, has proved himself a thorough teacher, and has won in a high degree the confidence and esteem of all.

Hiram College is affiliated with the Ohio College Association, in accordance with the rules of which association the courses of study are arranged. The special departments comprise the Biblical, musical, normal and art. The degrees conferred are B. A., B. P., M. A. and M. P. On May 7, 1883, a Bible Chair was established.

The first building continues in good repair. Six years ago the Ladies' Hall was erected. The tabernacle and the boys' dormitory complete the list of buildings, each one is well equipped, and admirably adapted to its purpose.

There are five well-selected libraries, containing more than 3,000 volumes. These libraries are being constantly enlarged with the best publications of the day. One of the libraries belongs to the college; the others to the Olive Branch, Delphic and Hesperian Societies, and the Y. M. C. A., respectively.

The college buildings, campus, libraries, apparatus, cabinet and furniture are worth $40,000; the productive endowment is estimated at $50,000; bequests, in the form of wills, are estimated at $100,000.

In the following summary of the history of education in this township since 1850, the statistics of common schools and literary societies are given.

Enrollment in 1884, nine boys and eighty-three girls; revenue, $3,824.68; expenditures, $1,932.38; seven schoolhouses valued at $4,200; average monthly pay of teachers, $26.

The Olive Branch Society, a ladies' organization, was the first literary association of ladies of the college, being founded in 1853. The Hesperian Literary Society of Hiram was organized in 1855, and reorganized May 2, 1862, with D. D. Humeston, H B. Norton, C. A. Dudley, C. C. Smith and J. H.

Hogue, Trustees. C. F. Willcutt was Clerk. Delphic Literary Society in connection with the Eclectic Institute was organized in 1854, and reorganized April 18, 1862, with I. K. Davidson, Edgar Maxon and -T. C. Cannon, Trustees, and Lewis L. Campbell, Clerk. L. J. Adair presided. The Alpha Beta Delta Society of Hiram College was reorganized Feb. 14, 1870, and chartered subsequently. The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in 1868.

Munnell, Dunshee, Wilber, Hall, Hillier, Rhodes, Everest, J. M. Atwater, Amzi Atwater, Suliote, Thomson, Coffeen, Hill, Dr. Shepard, Lottie M. Sackett, Weston, Hinsdale, Demmon, Pardee. "Wakefield, Barber, Booth and Garfield. Almeda Booth came to Hiram in the spring of 1851, and remained in service, except one year spent in Oberlin College, until commencement, 1866, in all fourteen years and one term. She began her work at Hiram as teacher of English studies, but soon became Principal of the ladies' department. Although excelling in teaching English studies, yet she taught with success in every department of the college. Her life and character formed the theme of an address by James A. Garfield at Hiram commencement in 1876.

In the spring of 1816 Nelson was set oif from Hiram, and at the election in the following April Thomas F. Young was chosen Clerk: James Young, John Redden and Benjamin Hinckley, Trustees; and Richard Redden, Treasurer. There are no records of the township earlier than 1820, and these officers are given from memory. The name of the township. Hiram, was suggested by Col. Tilden, who proposed it to all the original proprietors, who were Freemasons, in honor of an Illustrious Ancient Master Workman well known to the fraternity. Owing to the carelessness of a surveyor, who was probably unskilled in his business, some of the lines of survey are very irregular, frequent cases of lots being several rods wider at one end than the other occurring.

In 1820 there were four Revolutionai'y soldiers residing in Hiram - Col. Daniel Tilden, Christopher Redden, Elijah Mason and old Mr. Turner. Hiram did nobly in the war of the Rebellion, having been represented by two Major- Generals, two Captains and two Lieutenants, besides her full quota of men up to 1864. She sent to the front seventy-four men, thirteen of whom were killed or died in the service.

In the winter of 1831 Joseph Smith and Sidney Rigdon came to Hiram, held meetings and made many converts to the then new faith of Latter Day Saints, or Mormonism, but after a time something leaked out in regai'd to the Saints having an eye on their neighbors' property, that it was their design to get into their possession all the lands of those whom they converted. Whether the charge was true or not cannot now be affirmed, but at any rate the good people of Hiram and some others went to the houses of Smith and Rigdon, took them out, stripped them to the bufif, and treated them to a coat of tar and feathers and a rail ride, which induced them to leave.

Hiram occupies the highest elevation on the Reserve, being 1,300 feet above eea level, which gives it great salubrity and healthfulness. Its hills and dales are not only beautiful, but the land is excellent, being a clay loam, in Borne portions sandy, and at the same time it is well watered. It is well adapted to fruit and grazing, and in 1865 Ozias Allen made from the milk of twenty-one cows 12,600 pounds of cheese, which he sold for 15 cents per pound - S90 from each cow. There are in the township three cheese factories, three steam saw-mills, two feed-mills and an apple jelly factory, besides two general stores at the Center and at Rapids Postoffice.

Toionship Officers. - Trustees, Homer Abbott, F. R. Freeman, James Young; Clerk, S. J. Young; Treasurer, C. L. P. Reno; Assessor, G. B. Merwin; Constables, Joseph Hall, C. C. Sheldon; Justices of the Peace, Arvin Wilson, AyA. Turner. Postmaster at Hiram Center, D. H. Beaman; Postmaster at Rapids, Taylor Wilcox.

Source changes here: from 1922 Portage County High School Yearbook, by Portage County High School, published 1922; 325 words in this source stream.

Hiram Township

The school has engaged in the usual activities. The past school year, with athletics, concerts and social diversions, has been a busy and happy season. Two concerts have been given by the grades, and the high school, both of which were very successful. A large amount of local talent in not only vocal work, but in piano and violin as well, was displayed. The concert was given under the auspices of Mrs. V. Baker, who is also giving a course in musical appreciation in the high school.

The Junior Class, as is the custom, held the annual Hallowe'en party, to which the remainder of the high school students were invited. A departure from the usual type of entertainment was given by the Seniors, when a "rabbit roast" was held in honor of the football team.

After the County Basketball Tournament, in which the Hiram captured the cup "for keeps," the splendid banquet was given in their honor at the home of the Superintendent.

That week last fall which was set apart to celebrate the proper use of the English language, had, no doubt, many interesting programs in the various schools of the country. The observance at Hiram may be of some interest to others.

For the morning exercises each day during the week some special program was arranged. Two very elever little plays were enacted. They afforded both the audience and actors considerable pleasure as well as drawing quite pointed "English morals." 'The exercises also included speeches by students, on subjects pertaining to the use and advantages of good English.

In the English classes the movement was also boosted. For assigned work, the pupils were required to keep lists of the errors and slang outbreakings of their fellow students. Each student was also asked to make a poster promoting "good English Week." A perfect deluge of fascinating posters showered in. The best ones were selected and displayed. From these the judges selected the winning one.

Source changes here: from 1927 Portage County High School Yearbook, by Portage County High School, published 1927; 2,015 words in this source stream.

Hiram Township

This has been a busy year for both the students and teachers of Hiram High School. The school was practically reorganized and a Junior High department was formed. The majority of the faculty members were new, The manual arte - cooking, Woodworking, mechanical drawing and art were offered for the first time in several years, Each student was required to take one of these subjects,

"The classes organized early in class presidents and secretarles nre: Margaret Black and Elizabeth Garlich of the Seniors; Charles Young and Anna Lou Peckham of the Juniors; George Vincent and Mary C. Crafts of the Sophomores; Carlyle Execelius and Robert Tilden of the Freshmen.

"The literary societies organized severa] months earlier than in previous years The students were divided into three groups as evenly as possible. Each society elected officers, chose a name, colors and a motto, There has been much competition between the societies. The literary productions have been of a higher quality than before, More students, and especially the younger ones, have appeared on the program and more time and care have been spent on the productions. This is one of the most worth while features of our school,

The chorus and orchestra have appeared publicly several times. The orchestra is not large but the quality should not be measured by the size, Most of the work along musical lines is yet to be done,

The Girls Booster Club and have both been active. The Boosters have continued to boost all school activities faithfully. Their parties after the games were appreciated, The Hi-Y boys took part in the programs that were given in various towns.

E. G. Walker

and "The Birthday Surprise," an operetta, have been presented to large audiences. 'Lightnin' was presented by the Parent-Teachers Association, "The Birthday Surprise," was given by the Junior High and the grade school. It showed what the younger members of the school can do,

Two social nta of the year deserve especial mention, The annual Hallowe'en party given by the Juniors was well planned and very entertaining. The Christmas party given by the Saravati Literary Society was well attended and was one of the jolllest events of the year,

Hiram High School did not lack material for the Literary-Musical Contest, but failed to produce anything better than the rest of the schools. However the efforts of next year will be founded on this year's work.

With everything taken into consideration Hiram has enjoyed a very successful athletic season. Contrary to supposition we turned out a snappy football team which won four of the seven scheduled games,

And with the help of two Cleveland fellows who filled important positions we were able to organize a peppy basketball team which won eight games out of eleven, and finished in a blaze of glory by winning the Portage County's

N. E. Bin Hiram

1st Grade 20 18 plus Hiram College, Raiph Cook. 2nd Grade . 5 2 plus Hiram College, Miriam Knippenberger. > 3rd Grade 15 14 plus Hiram College, Myron Vincent, ç : 4th Grade m 13 plus Hiram College, Edward Luby. 80 804 t us 5th Grade Wilcox Commercial School, Ruth Murry. ss D i < Su 6th Grade 7 o pins ileox C cial School, E exer. Wilcox Commercial Sehool, Earl Krueger. a Guada 1s 18 nit Kent State Normal, Kathryn Ross. ada 71 19 plus Nurses Training, Western Reserve, Dorothy Get- High School 56 54 plus tys. - - Hiram College, Music only, Hazel Beals. Grand Total 167 plus

Murder Of John Leep Frogge Mantua Center

Our school term 6-27 opened September 6, with a flush and flurry; everyone bestowing the same vim and spirit. However, we felt still better after the vaeation we had on Labor Day, which gave us a much better start for Tuesday, with our different and various duties of both the Teachers and pupila,

We find the faculty the same with the exception of one new teacher, Mies McCormick, filling Miss Osgood's position, She is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University in 1926,

Miss Morgan ist and 2nd grade teacher; Miss Evans 3rd and 4th grade teacher; Miss Baughman 6th and 6th grade teacher and Mrs. Tinker 7th and Sth grade teacher all attended Kent Normal during the summer months,

'The first big affair of the season that required the attention of every High School pupil and teacher was the initiation of our twenty-five Freshmen. This tradition is not likely to lose its prominence unless the upper-classmen run out of stunts and eats!

The selling of subscriptions for the Ladies Home Journal did not meet with such success as the Country Gentlemen although each one did his best and was rewarded by a party given by the captains of the two losing teams.

Mantua Center School also participated in the stunts, given by the various schools for Gala Day at Ravenna. Although our school was not awarded a prize, we can't all expect to win, Instead we received something that no one can deprive us of and that is knowledge and experience.

School and its activities run along quite smoothly until the time for Hallowe'en and Black Cat Ane school gave a Hallowe'en Festival which seemed to give everyone a jolt; the costumes, class stunts, fortune telling; everything and everybody, in general, seemed to be mysterious and wierd even to the Roof Garden sponsored by the Girl's Hi-Y.

Another pause im the school's activities, Then comes the Christmas Exams, Some say the hardest part of school life to endure is the semester examinatlons. This was followed by the Christmas pro-

The Lecture Course alco met with succes Among the numbers given was first, the Ohlo Jubilee Lads; second, The Knox Concert Company; third, Ithican quartet and last, Brush, the Magician,

Mantua Center has two notable clubs, the Girl's and Boy's Hi-Y. The Girl's Hi-Y have many plans Tor the near future. First of all, they have been asked to give an entertainment before the High School and the Farm Bureau, They also plan to attend the Flower Show in Cleveland, are to be remembered for the ng with the III. V Boys of Ravenna, Hiram, and Garrettsville. They also entertained the high school to a wiener roast, and the Hi-Y Girls to a sleigh ride party,

Last fall Mantua Center organized for the first time in history a football team. Out of the nine games they played they won five and lost four. hey were more able to do this by the wonderful ability of Mr. Hansen, the coach, Luke Hurd was the captain, Mantua Center had two basketball teams to be proud of, especially the girl's, During the season they lost but one game to Suffield but they showed their ability when they played them the second time in the tournament, For seven years straight the girls have brought the cup back with them, Three of our players were chosen for the All-County Tournament team.

The boys were less fortunate than the girls, They also participated in the county elimination tournament, bringing victory in both games they played and the following Friday they played in the District Tournament, winning from Canal Fulton but in the next game they lost to Kent State,

Agnes Key has made a perfect record in basketball during the three years she played. The last year's record was broken by their defeat by Suffield. Agnes made enough points by herself in each game to bring victory to her team except the one with Suffield and in this game she made all of the 19 points.

During the last season she scored 375 points by herself, averaging 27 points per game. The whole team scored 484 points to the opponents 235. "TThey averaged 17 points per game,

11, Total number graduated from earliest date we can get statistics upon up to and including 1925: (a) Number in Class of 1925 - 8ix. (b) Number who attended one or more years of higher education - Three. (e) Number who graduated from collogo - Nono. (d) Number now in farm work - One, higher education - Seven. (c) Number who graduated from college - tlireo. (d) Number now in farm work - Four. (e) Number now in business - None. (f) Number now in housework - three, (g) Number now teaching - two. Class of 1923: (a) Number in Class of 1923 - Ten.

Mantua Village

Mr. K. L. Folger who had formerly been part time fifth and sixth grade teacher and Manual Arts instructor, continued his work in Manual Arts, adding mechanical drawing, In addition to this work he acted as physical education instructor in the grades and continued his work as coach of the athletic teams.

Mrs, Marie McDonald, nee Miller, remained as teacher of the third and fourth grades and had charge of art in the lower grades and of spelling in the seventh and eighth grades,

As la indicated by reading the above, special subjects were largely departmentalized. It was thought wise to give each grade teacher one or at the most two of these subjects. The plan has worked out well and results have been highly satisfactory.

Considerable change was made in the work of the seventh and eighth grades. Several classes were combined. It was so arranged that the seventh and eighth grades took History, Geography, Civics, Agriculture and Spelling together. Next year the same plan will be followed with Hygiene.

tered into this with vim and enthusiasm, Prize contests were conducted In grade art classes, Many striking and appropriate posters were turned out by the children, 'The high school students engaged in a prize essay contest on "Why Mantua Should Have a New School."

'The election was lost by about forty votes, At first this seemed discouraging, but it is hoped that the next time will tell a different tale,

Carl Freeman, Oration; Gertrude Kading, Vocal solo and Grace Etting, Reading. We won the Solo and Reading Contests, At the finals held in Ravenna were not so successful. We hope in another year to have more experience.

A Christmas entertainment was glven on the last day before the holidays by the grades. It was held in the Methodist Church. Afterward tho children returned to the school and exchanged presents,

November 25, finished up our last game in football for the year of 1926-27. During the season we made a record of winning 3 games, tying 2, and losing 5. Next, year we will have most of the squad back. Those Seniors who leave the school this year are: Carl Freeman, captain; Harold Mizer, Manager; Clyde Stimpert and Howard Mizer,

At the end of the season a banquet was given to the boys by the girls of the High School, At this banquet the following boys were given letters by Couch Folger: Carl Freeman, Harold Mizer, Clyde Stimpert, Howard Mizer, Albert Weter, Harold Ramage, Wallace Ramage, Potor Worz, Richard Sargent, Linwood Freeman, Charles Kettring, Howard Wheeler, Mike Paul, Frank Perry, Cletus Garwiek, Harold Cowell, and Harold Stendel.

In the elimination tournament held at Kent, Mantua won over Streetsboro and Rootstown, Being one of the teams to represent Portage County, they entered in the district tournament also held at Kent. Here they played Kent Roosevelt Hi and lost by the score of 14 to 15. The season of basketball ended with one of the best records for years, The boys won 6 games and lost 5,

"The girls in spite of all their handicaps, scored more this year than the previous teams, Next year we expect them to make good as they will still have the same team back to work.

There are four grade rooms at present, The high school consists of one large room, one small class 100m, a small library, where the typing classes and other classes meet, the Manual Arts room in the basement and a &mall room which has been fitted. up for a rest room and domestic art room, also in the basement.

There neither an auditorium or gymnasium. A room above the theatre was leased by the Athletic Association for basketball use. This was expensive and we are not certain yet as to the financial &uccers of the venture, Any entertainment must be given either in one of the churches or in the theatre, which is woefully inadoquate.