Manchester Township (part 2 of 2)

The work of the lodge was conducted by authority of this dispensation until the annual session of the Grand Lodge which convened in the dty of Columbus on the twentieth day of October of that year when a charter was granted bearing the names of Henry Y. Copple, James N. Brittingham, Benjamin Bowman, David Dunbar, George W. Sample, William A. Shriver, Perry T. Connelly, William McCalla, and others (as reads the charter), dated as above and covering all acts of said lodge from May 7th.

The brethren feeling justly proud of their new charge and realizing the responsibility seized their working tools and went to work with willing hands, and as subsequent proceedings show their efforts were not in vain, but on the contrary have been crowned with a success seldom attained in the annals of Masonry in this State.

The first petition for initiation was that of Andrew B. Ellison, who will be remembered by many of our readers as one of the principal merchants of Manchester at that time, and who long since laid down the working tools of life after a long, honorable and praiseworthy career. The second petition was from Captain William Kirker.

The first death among the members was that of Benjamin Bowman, which occurred April i, i860, and he was buried by the Order in the old cemetery at Manchester.

The records of the lodge show that the good old custom of visiting was practiced to a great extent during the early years of its existence. West Union, Aberdeen, Ripley, Winchester, Locust Grove, and Concord, Ky., often being represented at the same communication. And this same custom is, we are happy to note, like Masonic landmarks, kept regularly and is one of the social ties of Free Masonry which has ever characterized Manchester Lodge.

Among the bright Masonic lights who have sat under the sound of the gavel in Manchester Lodge, are noticed tlie names of Cornelius Moore, who so ably edited the Masonic Reznezv for so many years at Cincinnati. Also, John M. Barrere, one of the best informed Masons in the State in his day, and many others of prominence and note in the councils of the Order, each of whom in his own peculiar way contributed to the edification of the brethren.

The lodge when first organized met in the J. N. Kirker building at the comer of Second and Pike Streets. It afterward moved to the frame building on West Front Street, now owned by James Taylor. The first meeting of the lodge in its present quarters, the Ellison Building, at the southwest corner of Second and Pike Streets was held on the evening of December 22, 1866, and the records show that on February 23, 1867, th<: hall wa» formally dedicated under the personal direction of Howard Mathews, thtn Mr^t Worshipful Grand Master of Ohio, ably assisted by Kolx^rt ^/wynn, of Kentucky, an eminent Mason and Masonic author. Alircrj J'ennywitt had the honor to be Master of the lodge on this inter- CAting occasion. At the time of the breaking out of the war of the Re- Ix-lli^/n, the Irj^lgc was in its infancy and when the call for troops was heralded over the land, many of its members not forgetting one of the first charges to a Free Mason upon his initiation to be a good and true man, obeyed the teachings of the Order, laid down the implements of a peaceful life, and the >rasonic working tools, and went forth to battle and in bf/mc cases to die for the country they loved, reflecting high honor upon themselves and their mother lodge. Among those of the members of this \(H\^<: who served the country most gallantly in her hour of peril were Maj. Kphriam J. Ellis of the 33rd O. V. I., who fell at Stone River; Capt. I). W. Shriver; Capt. X. \V. Foster; Capt. Wilson Foster; Col. Henry L. riiillips; Capt. John Taylor; Cen. A. T. Wikoff ; Capt. Lafayette Foster; John W. I'ownall and J. W. Rr>gers. The names of all the members of MaiU'hester Lodge who served in the army were published in the Masonic Keviciv of Cincinnati. The brethren of the lodge appreciating their services remitted all their dues during their term of services. After the war closed and the boys came home crowned with honors, they received a royal welcome from their brethren.

Who can best work and best agree is a virtue which has always actuated the members of Manchester Lodge, and their labors were not in vain, as the records show there have been one hundred and eighty-three initiations, to say nothing of those who affiliated from other lodges; and. after (kulucting all who have died, been suspended, and expelled or withdrawn, the report to the (»rand Lodge in the fall of 1898 showed a membership of one hundred and two in good and regular standing. Manchester Lc^lj^e is up to date in every particular. The work is placed on thr lloor in a masterly manner which is evidenced by the large number of visit inj^ brethren from other lodi^fes who always find a cordial welcome and much lavorahle conuncnt is expressed on the number of skilled workimii anionj^; the meniborship of Manchester Lodge. Of the original charier nieinlHTs only four are living: George W. Sample* aged 92; James N. Hritiinghani. 80; David Dunbar, 79 and William A. Shriver. 72 years. The following is a list of Past Masters: Henry W. Copple, James N. Hrittingham, E. J. Ellis. Thomas D. Parker, A. B. ElHson, J. W. Pownall. .\lfrod Pcnnywitt. David Dunbar, Lafayette Foster, J^hn l'\ ('laines. Henry ColJinj^s. John K. Dunbar. S. N. Greenlee, J. W. Jones, W. \. \\'ats(^n. A. J. ^Iclntiro and Frank K. Reynolds: James E. Mott, ntnv pivsidinj^-. All of the above are livinq; at this writing except Copple, Parker, Mills. l\llison and Foster.

that time. Nathaniel Massie was also a frequent visitor. He was the son of Nathaniel Massie, the founder of Manchester. Manchester Lodge made a handsome contribution to the Masonic Home at Springfield and a private contribution was raised among the members sufficient to furnish a room in elegant style and the room named in honor of the lodge ; and, one of the oldest members of Manchester Lodge, Jason McDermod, is now one of the inmates of the Masonic Home. The foregoing history of Manchester Lodge though brief should cause the present members to feel that loyal pride with which its excellent founders were imbued when

During the spring of 1871 an effort was made by a number of Royal Arch Masons in and around Manchester to further the growth of Capitular ^lasonry, whereupon a formal application was made for a dispensation to institute a Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Manchester, signed by the following named companions hailing from different Chapters, to-wit : A. T. Wikoff, W. B. Cole, R. A. Stephenson, A. P. Pownall, Harrison Warner, E. C. Pollard, R. S. Daily, Thomas P. Foster, Jno. P. Bloomhuff, G. G. Games, John Sparks, John M. Freeman, M. S. Jeffries, R. M. Owens, Thomas M. Games, Nathaniel Massie. The application was forwarded to the Most Excellent High Priest together with maps showing location and distances of Blue Lodges in the jurisdiction. The application received favorable consideration and on the twenty-ninth day of June, 1871, a dispensation was granted by Charles C. Keifer, Grand High Priest, empowering them to open a Chapter and confer the degrees of Mark Master, Past Master, Most Excellent Master, and Royal Arch.

Being now fully empowered to work, the first regular convocation was held on the evening of July 12, 1871, and on the same evening five petitions were received, namely: Junius N. Higgins, David Dunbar, L. L. Edgington, William Kirker and H. B. Gaffin.

The first three officers appointed by the Grand High Priest were Thomas P. Foster. High Priest; Thomas M. Games, King; and Robert A. Stephenson, Scribe.

Under their dispensation the companions worked along until the convocation of the Grand Chapter on the twenty-sixth day of September, 1871, at which convocation they were regularly granted a charter. The companions of Manchester Chapter worked with fervency and zeal and as a reward have the satisfaction to know that Manchester Chapter No. 129 sends the names of more members in their annual report to the Grand Chapter than any other Chapter between Cincinnati and Portsmouth. David Dunbar has been the Secretary of Manchester Chapter for twentyeight consecutive years.

Hawkeve Trihe No. 117 Imp. O. R. M. - This lodge was instituted May 27, 1887, with W. V. Cooley, Sachem: J. H. Brawner, Prophet: J. W. Guthridge, Senior Sagamore: D. B. Phillips, Junior Sagamore: H. C. Doddridge, Chief of Record : and William Charles, Keeper of Wampum.

It is saiJ that the first schoolhouse stood near the southeast comer of the plat of ground now known as the old cemeten*, and that Israel Donalson, a pioneer schoolmaster, accountant and surveyor, was the first teacher. The date of this building has been fixed by some writers as early as I794t but the writer is of the opinion that the first school building was not erected before 1796. Mr. Donalson wielded the rod there for several terms when he was succeeded by John Barritt, another pioneer schoolmaster and once Sheriff of Adams Countv*. He was followed bv William Dobbins, a son of Rev. Robert Dobbins, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume.

This house was constructed of logs with one door and two windows, the latter made by cutting out a log from each side of the building. One of the spaces was filled with a row of glass and the other with oiled paper. There was an old-fashioned fire-place in one end of the room, where firewooil, six feet in length, could be used. The floor and seats were of puncheons. In that time, there was a practice of having **loud" schools. All study and any communication were alouJ, and the lessons were sometimes sung in concert. The text books used in that building were Webster's Spelling Book, the English Reader and Pike's Arithmetic. Grammar was not introduced until 181 8 when Lindley Murray's celebrated work was used. Geography was never taught in the log schoolhouse.

in 1828, the log schoolhouse was replaced by a brick building. The furniture consisted of a few long desks adjoining the walls for the use of the larger pupils, while the seats of the smaller ones were made of rough slabs without any backs. James Smith, afterward a member of the Ohio Legislature, taught the first term in the new building. He was succeeded by J. T. Crapsey who had edited an Anti-Masonic newspaper at West Union, and he by William Robe, afterward a noted surveyor in the Virginia Military District. The following are among the persons said to have taught in this building: Jane Dickinson, Jane Williamson, Andrew Crawford. George Burgess. Robert Buck, David and John Pennywitt, Kdward lUirbage, Thomas Hayslip. R. R. Case, Andrew Mannon, William McCalla and Parker Douglas. Judge James L. Coryell, Jesse and Jeremiah Ellis obtained their first lessons in surveying from Willian Mc- Calla. The use of the rod as a means of discipline was general. It was used indiscriminately without regard to age or sex, and yet the discipline was not good.

On October 17, 1853, ^^ ^^'^s determined by the School Board of Manchester to have two schools. At that time there were two hundred and eiglity-three pupils and William McCalla was the teacher.

On the fourth of May, 1855, the Board, having purchased the west end of out-lot number eighteen, contracted to place a schoolhouse thereon, of brick, fifty feet long by twenty-four feet wide, two stories high, and it was estimated to cost eight hundred dollars. It was opened at the beginning of tlie year 1856.

The (juestion of a graded school was x'oted on at a special election hold .August ir. 1856, under the Act of February i, 1849, known as the Akron T^aw. The proposition of graded schools carried by a majority of tliirly-nine votes. John B. Enness. Lacy Payton, David Gillespie. Dr. J()sct)h Stalileton, David Dunbar and John Parks were elected to carry out the determination of the voters. John McClung was the first teacher employed by this Board at fifty dollars a month. However, it was only a graded school, in name, and riot in reality. The course of study was determined by the teachers. From 1856 to 1875, there were no less than fifteen principals, during which the average term of service was less than one and one-third school years. The following were among the principals: John McClung, M. J. Lewis, W. W. Ramsey, James Williams, J. Gregg, J. L. Craig, G. W. Herrick, William Coleman, J. B. Jones. S. T. Kenyon, J. P. Norris, A. N. Stowell, A. L. Mehaffey, James McColm, J. H. Compton, J. F. McColm and William Tugman. In the fall of 1875, it was determined by the Board of Education that the schools should be graded in fact as well as in name, and Hon. L. J. Fenton, Superintendent of the Schools, was authorized to outline a course of study, which was adopted, and the course was made twelve years, three of which were in the High School. In the year 1877, the first senior class was organized in the High School and graduating exercises were held on the first of May, 1878, at the Methodist Episcopal Church.

In 1880, the citizens decided to erect a new building. It was commenced in July and the work was finished on the twenty-ninth of Novemger, 1880. In December of that year, Mr. Fenton resigned as Superintendent, and was succeeded by Mr. W. A. Clark, who resigned in 1881. H. G. Pollock was Superintendent in 1882 and 1883. In 1883, T. J. Currey was elected Superintendent. On the seventh of May. 1885, J- WJones was elected Superintendent and served ten years. His administration markd a new era in the history of the Manchester schools. The course of study was modified to meet the demands of the schools. Without neglecting the required branches, he introduced new subjects of study, and infused a new spirit into the modes of learning. In 1895, he resigned and Franklin E. Reynolds, who had served as principal of the High School during the last three years of Mr. Jones* administration, was elected Superintendent. Mr. Reynolds was well qualified for the place and discharged his duties most admirably. He resigned in 1899, and was succeeded by Prof. D. S. Clinger, the present Superintendent of the Schools. Mr. Clinger, in his work, has kept it up to the high mark started by Prof. Jones, and the school has been fully maintained as it was under Prof. Jones.

From 1880 until the present time, the school has increased from six to twelve departments. There are now two large two-story brick buildings, well equipped with apparatus, and a well selected library. In 1881 the commodious building shown in the engraving was erected.

The following is the enumeration in Manchester Special District for the current year: White males, 332; females, 271. Colored males, II ; females 13.

Th'r fir«»t mill erected in the county was a little "tub-wheel" built by Nathaniel .\{as.sie fm Island Creek about tw:o miles from Manchester, iW'AoTc the cr/mpletion of this mill, the settlers at Manchester went to Limest^/nc to have their grinding done, or used a small hand-mill at the Strxrkadc. Some of the pioneers pounded their com into a coarse meal im a block, sifting the larger particles out for hominy. The younger mctnl>crs of the family were kept busy shelling, dr>'ing, and poimding, or iK/mctimes grating on the cob, corn for meal, as both processes were slow and lalx>rirnjs.

In i8''>7 John Ellison built the first brick house in Manchester down near the river bank where the old St. Charles Hotel used to stand. It was tin- wonder and admiration of all the country round, and Mr. Ellison, recently from the *' Emerald Isle/' was so pleased with his new dwelling that he Uxfk his wife, Mary, in a canoe and paddled over to the Kentucky shore to get the mchantment that distance lends ; and the view^ was so sati.Hfartory that he exclaimed : "Mollie, it looks more like a palace than a hoose !**

I he first steani!j<jat to ply the waters of the Ohio, was the "New (Orleans" built at ]*ittshurgh, and which came down past Manchester in December, iHi i. The next was the "Aetna," early in the spring of 1812. Hcfore this date pirogues and flatboats were "cordelled" on the waters of the Ohio when ascending the stream. It took four weeks to go by one of these pirogues from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh. Jacob Myers, who owned a fleet of four pirogues, advertised in The Centinel of the Northwest Territory, in 1793, that he would insure passengers on his boats against harm from the Indians, as his crafts were armored and provided with portholes.

( )n Saturday morning, November 22, 1856, a negro named William 'renv. conunitted an outrage on Mrs. Morrison, of Manchester, whose Inisband at the time was absent. Terry was promptly arrested and lodged in jail at West Union. When Mr. Morrison returned and learned the faets as to the conduct of the black fiend, the better citizens of the town decided that summary punishment ought to be inflicted on the offender, and on Tuesday the 25th, arrangements were completed to go to West I'liion to secure Terry to mete out to him deser\'ed punishment. Citizens to the number of over one hundred on horseback accompanied several persons in a wagi^u to the coimty seat where court was in session trying Millii^an for the murder of the Senter family. They broke down the jail diH^r and secured Terry and returned to Manchester by 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Aftvr giving the offender a little time to arrange his worldly alTairs, he was taken over to Manchester Island, which is under the iurisdiction of the State of Kentucky, and hani^d him to a limb of a large syoamore that sto<^d at tlie west end near the water's edge next the Ohio siiore. llis bix1y was cut down and buried at the foot of the tree from wliioh he was hanirod. but it is said the remains were exhiuned bv medioai students tliat niirht.