Twinsburg Township

Twinsburg Township

The first settlement of Twinshurg Township was made in April, 1817, and the honor of being the first settler belongs to Ethan Ailing, who was then a mere boy of 17 years, sent on by his father to prepare for the later coming of the Ailing family. Moses Wilcox and Aaron Wilcox, twin brothers, were ako among the very earliest settlers. They were also among the original proprietors, as was Isaac Mills, who gave the township its first name "Millsville." The Wilcox twins afterwards persuaded the settlers to let them name the township, which they did, calling it Twinshurg in honor of their relationship. The township was organized in April, 1819. The first officials were Frederick Stanley, Lewis Ailing, Luman Lane, Samuel Vail, Elisha Loomis and Elijah Bronson. Ethan Ailing died in 1867, and by his will left eight shares of the stock of the Big Four Railroad Company to the mayor of the city of Akron for the purpose of having the dividends, declared thereon, being used to buy clothing, so that destitute children might be enabled to attend Sunday-school. These dividends are being used for this purpose at the present day, being turned over to the city poor director by the mayor upon their receipt. As early as 1822 both the Methodists and Congregationalists organized churches in Twinsburg. The latter built a church in 1823 and the present one in 1848. The Methodists built churches in 1832 and 1848. The Baptists organized in 1832 and built a church in 1841. In 1843 "The Twinsburg Institute" was opened by Samuel Bissell, which was one of the most successful educational institutions in the county. The beautiful soldiers' monument on the Public Square was dedicated July 4, 1867. One hundred and twentyeight men of Twinsburg went to the front during the Civil AVar. From 1856 to 1870 "The Twinsburg Fair" was one of the great features of agricultural life in this vicinity. At the present time, E. J. McCreery is town- .ship clerk, and A. J. Brown and Isaac Jayne are justices of the peace.