Randolph Township (part 2 of 2)

Portage County Branch Bank was established at Ravenna December 15, 1847, as a branch of the State Bank. The capital stock was $103,000. The principal stockholders were David J. Beardsley, Freedom ; Robert C. Campbell, Ravenna ; Sylvester Beachen, Shalers-ville ; Rufus Paine, Stark County ; Seth A. G-illette and F. W. Seymour, Ravenna. Henry Dwight. New York City, held 122 shares. The Presidents from 1847 to 1863 were R. E. Campbell, F. W. Seymour, B. P. Brainerd and Henry Beecher. H. D. Williams, John H. Ebbert and Ezra S. Cornstock were its Cashiers. This banking house has been carried on under the name First National since August 19, 1863.

Ravenna Savings and Loan Association was organized January 8, 1872, with Philo B. Couant, F. E. Udell, J. H. NichoUs, Noble Haven and N. S. Olin members. The capital stock was placed at .$100,000. In 1879 this association ceased business, suice which time a private banking business has been conducted by Ezra S. Comstock.

First National Bank of Ravenna. - This bank was organized under the United States banking law with $100,000 capital stock. August 19, 1863. The first Directors were Frederick W. Seymour, E. P. Brainerd, Silas Crocker, Hemy Beecher, Newell D. Clark and John L. Ranney. F. W. Seymour was the first President, and at his death in 1863 John L. Ranne}"^ was elected as his successor, and held the position till his death in 1866, when Newell D. Clark was elected President, which position he has held to the present time. Ezra S. Comstock was chosen the first Cashier and served until January 20, 1868, when Charles B. Witter was placed in that position, where he has continued to the present time.

Rohinson, King & Co., Private Bankers. - These gentlemen formed a private banking house ^Iay 8, 1857. G-eox'ge Robinson was first President ; Horace Y. Beebe, Cashier. In 1863 W. H. Beebe was appointed Cashier, his father resigning. This company continued to do business till 1864, when it was merged into the Second National Bank.

Second National Bank of Ravenna. - This institution was organized under the United States banking law February 25, 1864, with a capital stock of $100,000. March 12, 1872, its capital stock was increased $50,000. The first Directors were George Robinson, E. T. Richardson, D. C. Coolman, F. W. Coffin, Robert King, Eli P. Kiug and H. L. Day. George Robinson was the first President, and he and E. T. Richardson have filled that position since the organization of the bank. D. C. Coolman is Vice-President. W. H. Beebe was chosen the first Cashier and has retained the position to the present time, 1885.

The Peoples Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Ravenna was organized February 2, 1876, with E. T. Richardson, President, and Andrew Jackson, Secretary. There were 210 holders of premium notes.

Diamond Glass Company was organized October 28, 1867, with F. W. Coffin, George Robinson, D. C. Coolman, H. H. Stevens and J. D. Horton members. In 1874 Messrs. Robinson, Coolman and Holcomb formed the company and in 1879 the latter purchased Robinson's interest. Messrs. Coolman and Holcomb are the proprietors, with George T. Smith Secretary and Treasurer. Sixty men are employed in the manufacture of window glass, the annual product of which is valued at $100,000.

Ravenna Flint Glass Company (limited) was organized August 26, 1882, for the manufacture of glass, lamp chimneys, hollow and other glassware, with B. Zeigler, John Myrick, J. Bladenheiser, Henry Sweitzer, Henry Evans, Geo. S. Jade, Mat. Harre, J. A. Creighton, John H. Ganse, William Grinnell, John Staiger, Theo. Creighton, Geo. Kline, William Myrick, W. S. Gibbons and Frank Woolpert. The members of the company subscribed $14,500 and the citizens of Ravenna. On January 8, 1883, the Crown Flint Glass Company purchased the interests and works of this company, and in 1884 erected the large furnace.

Croum Flint Glass Company was organized January 15, 1883, with H. D. Seymour, George E. Fairchild, William Grinnell, Frank Woolpert, Theo. Creighton and James Bladenheiser members, for the purpose of manufacturing pressed and blown glassware at Ravenna. The capital stock was $40,000. George E. Fairchild, President ; H. D. Seymour, Vice-President and General Manager, and F. W. Woodbridge, Secretarj^ and Treasurer. Average number men employed, 175 ; amount annual sales, $175,000 ; pay roll about $7,500 per month.

Fnterprise Glass Co7npany of Ravenna was organized January 16, 1878, with Michael Krebs, C. H. W. Ruhe, George Kleen, James Bladenheiser and Julius Schenk members. They purchased the Ballinger Glass Pail Works, extended the buildings and conducted a successful business up to a few years ago. The works were shut down in June, 1883. Anthony Schneider now holds the works ready for operation.

Star Agricultural Works were established in 1874 at Ravenna. The company was organized October 29, 1874, with E. P. Brainerd, P. P. Dawley, Benjamin J. Wells, Henry D. Seymour and H. R. W. Hall members. The capital stock was placed at $40,000. The works were founded for the purpose of manufacturing O'Neil's Universal Fodder Cutter, agricultural implements, steam engines, tools, machinery, and carrying on a repairing shop. This was the successor of the Ravenna Mowing Machine Manufacturing Compan}-. The buildings are now owned by the Quaker Mills.

Quaker Mill Company of Ravenna was organized May 3, 1877, with Francis B. King, John B. King, Henry D. Seymour, William Hisler, Henry H. Stevens original members. In November, 1881, the present company purchased the mills from W. H. Corning, who purchased the mills from the original company-. H. B. Crowell, President ; J. H. Andrews, Secretary ; E. R. Crowell, Treasurer ; R. L. Phelps, Manager. The mill gives employment to forty men ; capacity 200 barrels of oatmeal.

Ravenna Mills were established a few years ago on Main Street near the Cleveland & Pittsburg Railroad Depot. Quincy Cook is proprietor. This industry gives employment to five men.

E. & A Knapp Pump Factory was established by G. W. Lowe, who sold the building to Mr. Knapp in 1874. This industry gives employment to four men. The value of machinery and buildings is placed at $4,000.

D. L. Baldwin & Son's planing-mill was established by A. C. Chapman & Son as a cheese box factor}', about 1863 ; the buildings, grounds and machinery were purchased in 1879 by D. L. Baldwin, and new machinery was introduced. The capacity is 40,000 foot surface, matching 10,000 per day. This mill employs five men throughout the year. The value of building and machinery is about $6,000.

Work & Yeend established their steam saw- mill in the"^fall of 1873 at Shalersville, moved the mill and machinery to Charlestowa early in 1879, and thence to Ravenna in the fall of 1883. The capacity is 10,000 per day. This industry gives employment to six men the year round. Their lumber yard was established about this time.

Kiiigsbui*}' & Sons' planing mill was erected about 1867 by K. H. Kline, and purchased in 1871 by J. Kingsbur}-. The value of buildings and machinery is placed at $6,000 ; capacity is about 20,000 surface feet, 15,000 matching, and 15,000 resaw per day. There are four men employed.

Grohe's planing-mill and sash and blind factory (the old Griffin hub factor}'^ and planing-raill) was purchased by Henr}' Grohe in December, 1884. The industr}' gives emplo3'ment to five men. Here A. B. Griffin continues to operate the bending works.

Ravenna Gas Light d- Coke Company was organized April 19, 1873, with the following members : Isaiah Lenton, Henr^' W. Riddle, Dewitt C. Coolman, H. D. Seymour, William L. Poe and W. Holcomb. The capital stock was placed at $40,000. On March 3, 1873, the Village Council ordered an election to be held to decide the question of gas works. This election gave a majority of contents, and on April 11, 1875, the Council authorized the organization of the company.

Zeller Valve Manufacturing Company was organized August 17, 1881, with Mahlon M. Zeller, J. H. Whitehead and E. L. Day members. Mr. Zeller's subscription to the capital was his patent for valves and rights therein.

The Haley Foundry and Machine Shop was established b}' William Haley & Co., January 21, 1881. In January, 1884, William Haley purchased the interests of J. Blackshaw, Solomon Haley and Andrew Marshall. The leading manufactures comprise molds and tools for glass works and general machinery. The value of machinery is about $7,000. There are nine men emplo^'ed.

J. F. Byers machine shop was established by Mr. M3'ers in 1873 and, in 1876, in the buildings previousl}- occupied by Ferr}' & King as a carriage factor}'. The machinery is valued at about $4,000. The business of the shop is repairing and jobbing. This industry gives employment to three men.

Doig's foundry was established in 1876 b}^ Robert Doig, who converted a part of the Ferry & King factory into a plow factor}', and erected the brick building, just west, for a foundry. During the winter of 1884-85 it was closed down.

JStna Block Company was permanently organized February 19, 1867, with Henry Beecher, President ; William Ward, Secretary ; D. K. Wheeler, Superintendent, and H. D. Seymour, Treasurer. The building committee comprised H. Beecher, D. K. Wheeler and William Ward. During the same month the mason work of the proposed building was sold to Brigham and Jennings and the joiner work to George Thomas.

On January 25, 1868, W. S. Streator, N. D. Clark, H. D. Seymour, W. M. Butler, D. K. Wheeler, William Ward and Nelson Converse agreed that W. S. Streator, in consideration of his conveyance of three fourths interest in his property, known as the Gillette House and Stables, he should hold a one-fourth interest, the company agreeing to remodel the old Gillette House, so as to render it suitable for stores, offices, etc., Streator paying one-fourth of expense and the other members three-fourths, the profits to be divided in the same proportion. The sum paid to R. P. Gillette was $5,000, and to him the house was rented in January, 1868. The first officers were re-elected, and this re-election was followed down to July 8, 1884, when William Ward, the Secretary, died ; William Ward, Jr., was acting Secretary for some time in 1884, and in September of that year was appointed Secretary, which position he now holds. N. D. Clark succeeded Mr. Beecher as President. The company owns the frame blocks known as the Empire and the

Exchange, as well as the large brick block known as the Etna House. This was the second brick block erected in Ravenna, the Phoenix Block being the first.

The first liveries were established by Ira Mason, Hiram Collins, Nathan Leonard, H. Hartell, James Letfingwell, Buck & Wheeler and Simon Stowe, from 1840 to 1850. In 1855 Benjamin Morris opened a livery ; in 1860, S. B. Poe and Newton & Bills entered the business. From 1866 to 1869 George Alvin and Simpson Poe operated the three establishments then at Ravenna. There are a few liveries and hack-lines now in operation.

Ravenna Carriage Manufacturing Company was organized September 15, 1855, with James L Curtiss, D. N. Furry, M, F. King, E. P. Evans and James Johnson original members. The capital stock was $25,000.

The 3Iertz & Riddle Carriage Factory is one of the great manufacturing industries of the count}'. This firm gives employment to over 100 men the year round.

Source changes here: from 1927 Portage County High School Yearbook, by Portage County High School, published 1927; 1,963 words in this source stream.

Randolph Township

The opening of school, September 7, found one change in the personnel of the High School Faculty. Miss Johnson, a teacher at Randolph for several years advanced to the prineipalship, Miss Brady Akron, re.umed her former duties, while Mr. Stiefel, of Borca, Ohio, was the lone addition, There was also but one change in the grade-achool faculty - Miss Katherine Patch, a former student of Rando.ph High School replacing Miss Meyers as teacher of the second and third grades,

'The advanced courses offered in Manual Training work and in Mechanical Drawing and Sewing were not overlooked by a considerable number oí students who did some very excellent work along this line. All in all, we consider the course of study offered at R. H. S. this year to be the best in the school's history.

The first extra-curricular activity conducted dur- Ing the year was the High School booth at the Randolph Fair. It was a financial success despite the bad weather, owing to the energy and enthualasm which was exhibited by all of the High School students, "Ihe proceods of this were used to purchase silverware for the school. This a decided advantage as it is used at all parties and public gath- «rings now held in the school building.

The next extra activity was the Lecture Cour e. In the ticket selling campaign a great deal of interest and a spirit of friendly rivalry were aroused by having an automobile race between four speedsters, one for each class. The Junior's racer came home in front, but competition was close all the way. The Lecture Course itself was a very commendable one, consisting of five numbers, The first was given by the Griswold Duo early in Oetober. The Ithacan Male Quartet presented the second number in December, Glenn L. Morris, tho third in February, the High School the fourth (a play) in March, and the Suffield P. T. A. tbe fifth in April, All those who saw the High School play, "The Adventures of Grandpa," recall the difficulties Grandpa encountered when he left his home in Yellow Bud, Ohio, to visit his nephew in Chicago and was quarantined in a dancing school! Tho

Clara E. Johnson

Con-iderable interest was displayed in the local Literary-Musical Contest and the participants ali per.ormed exxcellentiy. Our luck seemed to change in the District Contest, however, at least no one succeeded in representing the school in the County Contest. Nevertheless, we believe that the time spent in this has not been lost and that the coniestants will feel amply repaid for the effort e: pended, We consequently look for better resulta next year.

'The Giri's Glee Club, under the direction of Miss Margaret Nash was quite successful and sang at several public gatherings, much to the satisfaction and pleasure of Its audience, wor the first time in its history, Randolph High School has an orchestra, When the subject was hret presented a great deal of zest for such a thing was manifest and was displayed none the less during the actual practicing under Mr. Weston, At the present writing, the orchestra is coming along n fine shape, and may be expected to give us some very good music.

Another thing which added a great deal of interest to the school work was the organization of two Literary Societies, tho "Signiferes" and "Bota Epsilon," by nam: Each society presented two greatly programs and quite a good deal of heretofore unsuspected talent was discovered. We may e expect better work from thee rocletles next year.

The athletic endeavors of the school this year were admittedly not without thelr moments of joy and despair. Nevertheless, the football team, coached by Mr, Stiefel and captained by Elmer Roundy, made a very creditable showing, especial y in two or three of the games, when, as Captain Roundy phrased it: 'The men gave all they had and then a little more," This kind of work can deserve nothing but praise, and is sure to have an even better effect when the players face life's grenter problems, At the close of the season, the High School gave a banquet in honor of the football team, After the games eame the eats, toasts, and

At the start of the basketball season, both teams were greatly handicapped because of loss by graduation, Both squads worked hard under Coach Stiefel, and while neither team succeeded in getting Into the County Tournament, both gave their opponents a real battle. The boy's team in parcular seemed to run into hard luck in almost every game, suffering two one-point, two two-point and two three-point defeats. To labor under a "jinx" sueh as that was indeed a real task, Wo had the satisfaction, however, of never being realin local Literary-Musical Contest, ly out-classed by any opponent, Although the girls Randolph... 9 team got off to a rather poor start, they finished Randolph... 0 Atwater splendidiy, copping four times and playing one tle Randolph........ 18 Mantua .... while losing but ene during the latter half of the Randoiph........ Deerfield season. Prospects for next year's teams are bright, Randolph. 0 Aurora particulariy for the girls, and we trust that Lady Luck wii) choose to smiie on our next effort. Basketball - Boys A few of the students interested in track are en- Randolph..............21 Alumni .... deavoring to train themselves for inter-school em. | Randoiph............-14 Ravenna Twp. petition, but due to the early closing date of school it ls quite doubtful if very much will be done along Randolph. HE this line, The same holds true for baseball which Randolph..... Streetsboro . 8 continues to attract many students who are lovers Randolph. Suffield - of the great national game, Randolph. Garrettsville Thus ends the chroniciing of the events of the - Randoiph. Aurora school year, 1926-1927 at Randolph High School, Randolph... 1 à year which has been successful from every standpoint and one which we believe will be recorded in Randolph... Dm red letters in the school's history. AL asss; - Robert Case, Local Editor. A9 Rootstown Randolph. 18 Suffield un. What Last Year's Grads Are Doing Randolph. oaa Tap. < "There were thirteen in the class of 1926. Randolph. m Gente,

Four are now doing housework. Randolph. Opponents .. Building Statistics Basketball - Girls Ihe Benzol ipta was erected in 1923-24, at Randolph HEX a oe of $1 1 E Randolp) Ravenna Twp. . ere are six grade Randolph. Suffield .

1 Sch ) Aurora ..... eral Sclence). Atwater There is a combined auditorium and gymnasium. Deerfield - List of "Celebrities" Mantua Frederick Oesch - Winner of Lincoln Medal and Rootstown of first place in reading in local Literary-Musical - Randolph. Hiram

Ravenna Twp

On the eighth of September, Ravenna Township School was again a-buzz with merry volces after a long summer of silence, A number of new pupils was added to the school and the Senlor Class increased until It could boast of seven more pupils than the Claes of '26. Both teachers and pupils were full of vim, aa they saw the new school year stretching ahead of them,

Tho freshmen waxed enthusiastic over the courses they were to take, thinking them "snaps," while the upper classmen, worldly wise, considered enrefuliy before deciding what subjects to dip into.

Football season started off with a brave show, and finished in much the same manner, The games won were of »uch a complexion that we were safe in considering this year's football season n typical Township one.

sing of the football reason, the basketball became famous in the gym, Then followed hard practice, selecting captains and winning james. We are proud of our captains this year; they are brother and sister and twins! Both are all-round good sports and have the Township Spirit as they have attended this school ever since they began learning their A, B, Our cheer lenders, Glade Bowman and the little "Texas" kid he!ped both seacons along with some rousing new yells and lots of pep.

In the way of social life, Township takes her place at the "top notch," She has had a freshman reception in honor of the students just entering high school life, then the freshmen went off by themselves and held a spooky Hallowe'en party, but later as they began learning manners they gave the Sophomores-the customary return party, a baekward one in all respects but that the petite freshmen had lost thetr bashfulness and were not in the least "backward."

Next in line came a Junior-Senior masque ball at which everyone had a fne time. Then the Juniors decided to have a Christmas party and they very kindly invited the Seniors and entertained them royally. After Christmas vacation there came a lull while everyone stuied hard, resolved to make more A's in '27 than ever before, But, following the usual path of resolutions, it wasn't long until they were completely forgotten, and as a result the tecond semester has been dotted with various soclal enterprises.

Usually there is not much said about the lower grades in the "Speedometer," but Township wishes you to remember that they are an important part of school life, as they form the foundation for the High School to build upon just as the High School is a foundation for the college.

'The sixth grade gave a play, and even the first and second grades with their orchestra have contributed their part in the way of entertainment, The second grade presented a health program and it was so well liked that they were requested to repeat it. At Thanksgiving the eighth grade entertained the Senior High with a program in which full skirted dresses and tall hats were prominent,

'This year, for the firet time the Junior High School has played a part in the life of the Senior High. The younger pupils joined their elders in chapel services and pep meetings and were mado eligible for membership in the Athletic Associatio: At different times they have entertained the student body with charming plays and readings. The spirit of cooperation thus fostered in the echool is of great benefit and pleasure to all the pupils It gives the younger ones an insight into their futures, and the older ones glimpses of their past, All in all it is a pleasing arrangement, and everyone hopes that it will be continued.

Another County championship. We didn't think they could do it, but plenty of fight and the old "Township Spirit" did the trick. Starting in where the 1925 team had left off the BIG BLUE swept aside such opposition as Windham, Deerfold, Akron East Reserves, Western Reserve Academy, Atwater, Suffield, and Garrettsville without being scored upon. An early season defeat by the Alumni (the Kent Varsity in disguise), and a reverse at the hands of our old rivals, Lima South, were the sad features of 1926 reason, A victory over the "point-a-minute team" from Aurora, and a game with City: High rounded out one of the host seasons Township has ever experienced.

Who'S Who And How Come

Each year our rivals get back at us in baskotball for what happens in football season. This year, we hope, will be different. 'The girls are giving a very good account of themselves in the games played to dat» - maybe they have the championship bug in their bonnets, At any rate, they setting a fast pace and the boys are trying to keep up. Since the season is not over, and predictions as to the outcome of the season are not in order we prefer to sit tight, saw wood, and wait and seo WHO'S WHO AND HOW COME.

(Reserves) Township. 6 Western Reserve ° Academy TTownship.... 12 Atwater 0 We've beat them out of thirty-seven more! Township. 13 Suffie:d 20 Township. 14 Garrettsvillo 0 Township. 6 Lima South dT C'mon teams, oll your joints!