Wadsworth City (part 5 of 6)

It now seemed to him that he must give up, and be torn to pieces by the ferocious brute. Being taint from the tremendous exertions of nerve and mind to keep out of the clutch of the bear, he felt that his time had come, and his heart and frame shuddered at the thought of being mangled to death by an animal he would not have feared to encounter if he had had his hunting-knife in hand. The little flst-like dogs seemed to know, at this juncture, the peril and fatigue of their master, for they pitched at the bear with renewed vigor, and made such good use of their sharp teeth that the bear had to turn and tussle with them long enough to give their master a little respite, and new breath ; but the moment she had freed herself of the dogs, she again came at him with increased rage, and it required his utmost exertions to keep clear of her jaws.

The time had now tome when something besides running had to be done, or he would certainly fall a victim to her rage. He had no time to spring up a small tree, and every moment his strength was failing him, while from the biting and worrying of the little dogs, the rage of the bear seemed to be increased. He watched his chance, and ran to another tree near by, with the bear close to his heels. In looking about for a club, or anything with which to defend himself, he espied a stick cut off a young hickory, which had been cut by some one to make a splint broom. It was within twenty feet of him - a good, sound club, about three feet long ; and O, if he could only get this club! Encouraging his little dogs to seize hold of the bear, when on the side of the tree next to the stick, he sprang for it with all his might, and picked it up and darted behind another small tree, just as the bear was ready to grasp him with her paws and mouth. The brute now raised upon her hind legs, to grab him with her paws around the tree. With all his remaining strength, he stepped to the side of the tree and with the club in both hands, aimed a blow at her head, when, quick as a flash, the bear met the club with one of its paws and knocked it clear out of his hands, several feet away. He rushed for his club and just got it, when the monster again raised on her hind legs to clasp him with her paws, her mouth wide open, ready to tear him to pieces. Summoning all his powers for another desperate effort to strike her head with his club, she again met the descending blow with her paw and directed it from hitting her snout ; but in its descent it struck the point of her under jaw and broke * ir off. Another blow followed this, and with a roar of rage the bear sprang to a large oak close by, and crawled

The consciousness of safety from this tremendous fight, and the great fatigue produced by the mental and physical strain on the system, so overcame J:he hunter that he went into a sort of swoon, and lay in a dreamy and partially unconscious condition for a number of minutes, before he was able to return to his home, where he got his rifle, and with his father, Samuel Blocker, Israel Hitter, and Jacob Miller, returned to the scene of the conflict.

The faithful little dogs had staid at the foot of the tree, barking up at the bear, which had not come down. Taking aim, a ball from his rifle went crashing through her head and killed her. Three beautiful cubs, nearly as large as raccoons, were found in the treetop, which accounted for her fierceness.

At another time, David Blocker, in company with Indian Holmes, was in pursuit of a huge bear, with a pack of six dogs. The bear was a clumsy runner, and the dogs soon brought him to bay at the foot of a great sycamore tree. With his ponderous paws he would brush the dogs away as if they were mere insects, and one or two of the dogs who did not understand bear tactics, especially when it is close quarters, in their eagerness to seize the bear by the throat, got themselves within good reach of his paws% and were struck by him with such force that they tumbled away, heels over head into the weeds, howling and yelling with pain and rage, and could not be tempted to again get themselves within reach of those dangerous bear-hands, which had left the imprint of their claws in their tough hides. Bracing his back against a tree, he bade defiance to his enemies. The hunters came up, but could not shoot him for fear of hitting some of the dogs, which kept jumping at him continually. Holmes had an Indian battle ax, heavier than a tomahawk, with which Blocker proposed to go behind the tree, and dart suddenly around and

Strike the bear in the head and knock him down, and when once down, with the aid of the dogs, they could easily dispatch him. Holmes looked upon it as a dangerous undertaking, and said he would have his rifle cocked, ready to tire instantly at the bear, if anything went wrong.

Blocker sprang around the tree, but stumbled over one of the dogs as he was in the act of striking the bear, and only gave him a slight blow as he fell headlong in front of the beast, which instantly seized him by the thigh, with the speed of a tiger. Holmes, who was ready, sprang up, and placing the muzzle of his gun close to the ear of the bear, sent an ounce ball through his head, which killed him on the spot, before he had fairly closed his teeth on the leg. The marks of that bite were carried to the grave. They found this to be the largest bear they had ever seen, and estimated him to weigh 500 pounds.

At another time, meat became exceedingly scarce, in consequence of the game all leaving the neighborhood ; and the want of this indispensable article to the pioneer, produced a lamentable aching about the stomach of each. Suddenly, one Sunday afternoon while David Blocker was lying on a bed of deer and bearskins, in the cabin, the dogs sang out: " Turkeys!" and bounding off his bed and seizing the rifle and shot-pouch, he rushed to the door just in time to see the turkeys flying and alighting among the trees in every direction from the cabin ; for the dogs had rushed among them at first sight, and kept up a tremendous din of howls and yells at the turkeys, while the rifle went crack, crack, as fast as he could load and shoot, until sixteen fat turkeys had fallen before his unerring aim. By this time the flock had disappeared, and in their place came Judge Brown (father of Rev. Edward), Esq. Salmon Warner, Reuben F. Warner, and Jacob Miller (father of Geo. Miller, Esq., ot AJvron) ; all of whom had been at a prayer-meeting, at Esq. Warner's, half a mile east of where the turkey shooting* took place ; and which meeting was about closing when they heard the successively quick, sharp reports of the rifle, and knew it meant game. As they were all in want of meat, they gladly and thankfully accepted twelve out of the sixteen turkeys killed on that occasion.

Let no one infer from this that the pioneers, and men mentioned above, approved the detestable practice of Sunday hunting and shooting, as now carried on by a lawless class, seeming determined to ruin the morals of this country. On the contrary, the necessity of the time justified the act ; for, let me here say, while there were some theological differences of opinion, yet taken as a community together, there never was a more honorable, upright, and conscientious set of people found on this broad continent, than were the early pioneers of Wadsworth.

It would be unfair to draw comparisons of their mental attainments and theological views, for they came from widely separated portions of the Union, and brought the ideas of manhood, civilization, mental attainments, and theological notions which prevailed in the respective regions from whence they came. For the first time, perhaps, in the settlement of a new country, New England, Central New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia came together in a new region of country, with adverse ideas about many things ; but in the main harmonizing upon the great things that go to make up good men and women, and good communities. Hence the pioneers of Wadsworth were as a unit in promoting each other's welfare and happiness. Each seeking to move and work in that sphere best calculated to render the most good, and in which he was born and reared.

At first there may have been some distrust, but in a very short time all distrust, if any, that one section had of the other, vanished into thin air as soon as they came to know each other ; and soon, the mass of early pioneers came to be like brothers and sisters, promoting each other's welfare in all possible ways. Would to God that such a spirit now prevailed among all the people as ruled the mass of pioneers in Wadsworth, fifty to sixty years ago !

Those of the early pioneers who came from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia mostly settled in the south half of the township ; while those from the Eastern States located mainly in the north half of the township ; thus for a short time making the east and west center road a sort of u Mason and Dixon's line." But this, as before remarked, was of very short duration, for a social comity and pure friendship soon cemented them together in a common bond of brotherhood.

The early pioneers of the south part of the township taking the east and west center road as the boundary, were the Deans, Warners, Durliarns, Christian Ritter, Daniel Ware, Israel Ritter, Adam Baughman, Lorenzo Baughman, Henry Falconer, Jacob Miller, Samuel Blocker, Christian Everhard, Samuel M. Hayden, Benjamin Simcox, James Reed, Samuel Falconer, Adam Smith, Jacob Smith, John Everhard, Jonathan Everhard (now of Sharon), and their father, Jacob Everhard ; James Gifford, Geo. Rasor, Christian Rasor, "Stofel " Rasor, Win. Rasor, Wm. Simcox, and Henry Ritter.

Most of these pioneers met and held divine worship in the extreme southeast part of the township, where a meeting^ house had been erected by the joint efforts of the pioneers of Norton, Chippewa, and Wadsworth townships, in which two, and perhaps three, denominational forms of worship were maintained. But I may be mistaken about this ; neither am I certain whether the first house of religious worship stood on the Wadsworth side, or just across the road in Chippewa ; and it is not material on which side it did stand; neither is it materia] whether one or more religious creeds were taught and maintained there. It is enough to say, that the pioneers who assembled there for divine Avorship Avere as i>ious, as honest, and as good every day Christians as ever assembled in a meeting-house ; and Avhile they were generally unobtrusive in their habits and tastes, and unwilling to thrust themselves forward in the early administrative affairs of the township, yet they did their full part toward its physical and intellectual developments, and are entitled to an award of just and equal praise to everything that went to the rapid and wonderfully developed history of the township. No one Avill question this. Neither in making up this do I seek to make an invidious distinction, or draw comparisons of the characteristics of the early pioneers of the township. I wish in my feeble way to do justice to the memory of those noble men and women, most of whom I can remember; and this article would be entirely incomplete without reference in a more open manner to the women who Avere the Avives of the early pioneers of the township.

They were indeed helpmates, in every sense of that word. They not only discharged their duties in the cabins of their husbands, but bravely went into the woods and fields, and labored w7ith their husbands to subdue the forest, and convert the grounds into blooming fields. For many years they spun and wove, and made most of the cloth worn by the family; and they never shrank from assisting in-doors and out-doors as was needed, and it is not too much to say that to these mothers belongs most of the praise for the morality and piety of the township, in its early history, and for the impress of those virtues which still cling to some of their descendants.

But I must close. I am loth to do so, for since I commenced this writing, it has seemed as if my heart would burst while thinking back thirty to forty-five years, in which time I knew these men and women, and knew them only to love and adore them. And these memories of them cling about my heart like SAveet clusters of flowrers, which I pray may never lose their fragrance or freshness t

Nearly all of them have yielded up their spirits to Him who gave them, and their mortal remains have been consigned to mother earth. Blessed be their memory forever ! as I hope and believe that each one is in immortal bliss, in that better state, set apart for all who love the Lord.

George Has or and wife,* of Wadsworth ; Mrs. Nancy Harter, of New Portage, late widow of John Everhard; Mrs. David Loutzenlieiser, of Sharon ; George Miller, Esq., of Akron ; Mrs. Lydia Franks, of Doylestown ; Henry Hitter, and perhaps others unknown to me.

in the early part of the settlement of the township, rattlesnakes were plenty; and in one day, at a den of the snakes, Samuel Blocker and Jacob Miller killed 128 yellow spotted rattlesnakes. At another time, when my father, Samuel Blocker, was reaping wheat, he cut off a monster rattlesnake's head with his sickle, which probably struck at his hand just as he had gathered in the wheat straw to cut it off, for he did not see or know anything of the snake until he had dropped his bunch in its place, and finding the snake headless, looked in his handful of wheat, when lo ! there was his snakeship's head, as handsomely cut off as if done by a surgeon.

At another time, my brother David, in pursuing a wounded bear, encountered one of the largest rattlesnakes ever killed in Medina county. It was in this way : He met a buck, jumping and snorting, with his hair bristled up, and his eyes all aglow as if in some great trouble and anger. He jumped and stamped, without moving much out of his place. My brother walked up within two rods of the deer, and as the buck paid no attention to him, but kept on snorting and jumping up and down, he leveled his rifle at him, but stopped a moment to reflect on his singular appearance ; when about half way between him and the stamping deer, arose up out of the dense growth of wild peavines, the head and neck of the largest snake he had ever seen in all his life. The serpent hissed and darted his fiery eyes and tongue at my brother and then at the deer, as if at a loss which to attack ; for he was ready for fight. Almost in a twinkling the fatal rifle was directed from the deer towards the head of the snake and discharged, and when the smoke had cleared away all was still, for the deer only bounded off two or three jumps, and then turned and looked back at the place where the huge serpent lay. My brother loaded his gun, and taking a stick, carefully separating the vines so as to see through them, advanced with fear and trembling to the spot Avhere he had seen its head. Here he found the vines bespattered with blood and bits of boiie and flesh, by which he knew he had struck the reptile with a fatal shot. Separating the vines, there, all coiled up nicely, lay the serpent, with his head torn and shattered all to pieces.

As soon as he saw the head, what remained of it, as perfectly harmless, he reached down to take the rattles,, when, as he touched the tail, what remained of the head quick as a flash darted up, serpent like, and struck the back of his hand, covering and besmearing it with its warm blood, which so frightened him that he fainted. When he revived, carefully washing his hand he found no scar or break in the skin and knew that he had not been bitten. He took a string of 21 rattles from that snake; and the buck walked away in a majestic manner, seemingly satisfied, and was not molested by my brother.

About the year 1818, Samuel Blocker had a valuable mare and colt which were attacked by bears and driven off the point of a rock, on the north fork of the sawmill dam, a few rods west of the house and lot now owned by Win. Brouse. It was nearly sixteen feet down perpendicularly, at that time, where the mare and colt lay crushed by the fall, and the indications were that one or more bears had

Samuel Blocker was the first tailor in the township, and cut and made pants at l'rom forty-five to sixty cents per pair, and coats and vests in proportion. He learned his trade in Baltimore.

Hiram C. Kingsbury was the first blacksmith in the township, and acquired fame and reputation as an axmaker for the pioneers of the surrounding townships.

In the pioneer times, produce was wonderfully low in price, as compared with present rates, and all sorts of merchandise was very high. Wheat was sold at from twentyfive to thirty cents per bushel, for articles of necessity. Luxuries were not to be thought of. Pork, dressed, was $1.00 to $1.25 per 100 pounds, and as fat beef as was ever offered in market, sold at one and a half to three cents per pound, butter at six to nine cents, eggs at two to three cents per dozen, and all other articles of farm productions at corresponding rates ; and at these prices no money was paid, but merchandise taken at from 100 to 300 per cent, higher prices than prevail at this day. It is a wonder how the pioneers got along as comfortably as they did.

At the time Judge Brown came to the township, he brought a small chest of medicines with him, which were of great value to the pioneers, for "Aunt Chloe" was always ready to distribute the contents of her medicine chest with a lavish hand, as long as she had an article left with which to relieve her sick neighbors. When any of them got sick, Aunt Chloe was sent for, and, all things considered, she was about as successful a practitioner as any, for she would never receive a cent as a fee, and never injured her patients with wrong prescriptions. * * * * two more, to show what were both the peril and the sport attending not only the hunting expeditions, but the every day life of the hardy pioneer.

In 1819, the settlers of Wadsworth had turned out to chop the road through the unsettled township north, then known as " Hart and Mather's town," to meet a similar company from Granger, half way ; thus making an outlet to Cleveland. While thus engaged, one of the Bruin family put in an appearance, probably to inquire the meaning of this invasion of his ancestral domain. Several dogs, which had accompanied their masters, immediately left off all their petit contentions over minor dogmas, and made common cause against their common enemy. The bear showed desperate fight, rising upon his haunches and beating back the dogs. Orin Loomis ran up, and, to protect the dogs, stuck his ax into the bear's mouth, while Judge Brown, coming immediately behind him, struck his ax into the bear's head, and the other choppers soon dispatched him with their axes ; and each at evening returned home with a large piece of bear meat ; no small item, in the general scarcity of provisions at that period.

To this we will add the story of a bear-tight by Orin Loomis and Phineas Butler, and of a conflict with a wolf by Leonard Brown, as published by Aaron Pardee, Esq., in the Wadsworth Enterprise, in 1866.

In the bill of 1823, as Butler and Loomis were returning after midnight from one of their hunts, and had arrived within a mile or two of home, it was noticed that the dogs were missing. Presently, a noise was heard, far back in the rear.

"Hark! What was that ?" said Loomis. They listened awhile, and agreed it was the dogs, sure. " Orr, let's go back," said Butler. "No." answered Loomis, "it is too late." "But," said Butler, "I'll bet the dogs are after a bear; don't you hear old Beaver? It sounds to me like the bark of old Beaver, when he is after a bear."

Butler was bound to go back, and so they started. The scene of the disturbance was finally reached, after traveling two or three miles. The dogs had found a bear, sure enough ; but it was in the middle of Long Swamp, and the alders were so thick that there was scarcely room for man dog, or bear to get through. This did not deter Phin Butler, however. They got near enough to find out that the bear was stationed on a spot a little drier than the main swamp, surrounded by alder bushes, and that she was determined not to leave it. The dogs would bay up close, when the old bear would run out after them. They would retreat, and then she would go back to her nest again.

"We can7t kill her to-night,77 said Loomis, "we will have to go home, and come down again in the morning.77 " No,77 replied Butler, "I am afraid she will get away. We can kill her to-night, I guess. You can go and hiss on the dogs on one side, and I will come up on the other; and when she runs out after them, I711 cut her back-bone off with the ax.77 They concluded to try this plan, and came very near succeeding. As the old bear rushed past, Butler put the whole bit of the ax into her back, but failed to cut the back-bone by an inch or so. Enraged and desperate, she sprang upon the dogs, who, emboldened by the presence of tli e bui it e r s; cam e too close. With one of her enormous paws she came down on old Beaver, making a large wound without Beaver to lead the other dogs, it was useless to proceed. It was difficult to get the old dog home, but he finally got well. Early in the morning the hunters were on the ground. This time they had their guns with them, but found the old bear was gone. On examining her nest of the night before, her unusual ferocity was explained. She had a litter of cubs, which, however, she had succeeded in removing, and must have carried them off in her mouth.

Ill a short time the dogs had tracked her out. She was round half a mile lower down the swamp, where she had made a new nest. Butler's rifle soon dispatched her, but her cubs, four in number, and not more than three or four weeks old, were taken alive, and kept for pets. * * *

It was in the month of June, 1827, a full moon and a clear night. I was 17 years old. About eleven o'clock at night I was awakened by the barking of the dog, which was a common occurrence, and we always went to his relief, and generally found that he had treed either a raccoon, a wildcat, a porcupine, an opossum, or a fox. (The gray foxes would climb trees as readily as coons). This time his barking was unusually earnest. I got out of bed and put on my pants, but nothing more. Bareheaded and barefooted, I took my ax and started for the dog. When within a few rods of the spot, I found it was in the northeast corner of the field, where stood a sapling about twelve feet high. Supposing the game to be on that sapling, 1 could get on the fence and dislodge it from the tree, knowing that the dog would take it as soon as it reached the ground. I therefore laid down the ax and proceeded within a rod of the place, when a large animal made an attempt to jump the fence, but the dog caught it by the thigh and brought it back. It then tried to make its escape across the field, but the dog caught it by the neck, when it turned and gave battle. I then discovered that it was a wolf, much larger than the dog, and as they reared upon their hind legs like two dogs in a fight, I caught the wolf by his hind legs, and with the help of the dog laid him on his back ; but his jaws flew to the right and left so quick, it was very difficult for the dog to get a safe hold. I thought I had best get my ax as soon as possible, as I had no knife. So I started for the ax, but before I had gone ten feet, the dog cried out in great agony. I knew he was hurt, so I

I caught him again by the legs and laid him on his back, and by holding his leg with one hand, I jammed the stick into his mouth with the other, and by that means enabled the dog to fasten to him by the throat. After I had carefully examined the dog's hold and found all right, feeling assured that if he got away he would take the dog along, T hastened for my ax. When I returned, I found the wolf on his feet, and the dog on his back, the dog still keeping his hold. On my approach the wolf made a desperate effort to escape, which brought the dog to his feet. He then laid the wolf on his back without my help. I then tried to knock the wolf in the head, but dared not strike for fear of hitting the dog; and fearing the dog would give out, as he seemed nearly exhausted, as the wolf lay on his back I aimed a blow between his hind legs, and supposed I had succeeded in cleaving the hips, but it proved I had only wounded him in one thigh.

The wolf then lay still, and I thought him dead. I bade the dog to let go his hold. He refused. I then put one foot on the wolf, and took the dog by the nape of the neck with one hand and struck him with the other. The dog flew back as if there was a snake there, and the wolf jumped up suddenly and attacked me. His jaws came together very near my neck, but the dog instantly caught him by the throat. I then struck him on the head with my ax, breaking the skull ; and the dog released his hold of his own accord.

It was a black wolf of the largest size, measuring from the extremity of the fore to the hind foot, seven feet and nine inches. The dog was bitten through the thick part of the fore leg. I was minus a shirt - some- scratched about the breast, with a slight wound on my left arm made by the wolf's teeth. Leonard Brown.

The foregoing pages have been devoted to the early, or pioneer history of the township ; and as they were chiefly made up from papers prepared with reference to the pioneer celebration, by several individuals, each writing independently of the others, there is necessarily some repetition that at times may have been tiresome to the reader. But as it was intended to be a book of reliable records, for reference in future years, it wfts thought best to let each go in just as the writer prepared it, in his own words and style. The reader will perceive that the historical part is thus far confined to the twenty-five years succeeding the first settlement, bringing the annals of the town down to the year 1840.

This closes the pioneer history; designed to give a brief review of the character ot the first settlers, of their labor, sacrifices, and suffering done and endured in reclaiming what was a vast, unbroken forest, and preparing it for an abode of enterprise, prosperity, refinement, and intelligence, with educational, social, and religious institutions, and growing and pleasant villages.

The remainder of the history will be devoted to its subsequent growth and prosperity, with a sketch of what it now is, together with a brief view of the earlier and later history of the adjoining townships, making up the country of which Wadsworth is the center.

Western Star

The village bearing this name, situated on the township line, about equally in Wadsworth and Norton, 2h£ miles east of Wadsworth village, so long a rival to Wadsworth in the competition for the chief center of business for the surrounding country, deserves a notice at this stage of our history.

About 1816-18, live brothers by the name of Richards - Mills, Ezekiel, Henry, William Steward, and William Cullen - came from Norfolk, Connecticut. The two eldest locating just upon the west line of Norton, and the others in Wadsworth. Soon after came their father, Jedediah Richards, and his youngest sons, Julius and George W., and still later, his eldest sons, Jedediah, jr., and Robert Usher.

At the time of the establishment of the mail route from Canton to Norwalk, via Medina, post-offices were established oil the west lines of Norton and Wadsworth, there being offices at New Portage and at Medina. Capt. Mills Richards was appointed post-master at the first named office, and the office called Western Star.

About 1824, Julius Richards erected a dam upon Dean's Brook, for turning and sawing, and built a wagon and cabinet shop that for that period did a large business. He subsequently built a sawmill, run from the same dam.

About 1825. the Richards brothers having exchanged farms, settled around the same locality and laid out a village, with the avowed design, by united effort, of making it the chief place of business. The first store of goods and merchandise between New Portage and Harrisvilhy was that ot Henry E. Morgan & Co., at Western Star. But not finding the location as good as lie anticipated, lie soon moved away.

In 1828, Robert IJ. Richards (known as Usher Richards) came to Western Star. He was a man of inventive genius, and had perfected and patented a process of turning hollow wooden ware, such as pails, firkins, half-bushels and peck measures, and wooden bottles, entire, from a round log. In company with his brother, W. Steward Richards, he built a large factory for the manufacture of such ware, on the Wadsworth side of the village, run bv steam. He died from an accident, in Jan., 1830.

The business was for a time carried on quite extensively by his brother, and his son Robert. But the ware proved impracticable, because of its liability to crack in seasoning, it being found impossible to dry a stick of timber uniformly through. So the business ran down and was abandoned. The building was afterwards used as a hat factory by Shaw & Griswold.

In 1829, three brothers, Alfred, Augustus, and Alexander Griswold, under the name of A. and A. Griswold, erected a large store building, and opened an extensive store of goods, and made a clearing of several hundred acres of land on a large tract owned by them near the village, and another in Sharon. But in 1831, failing in business, they made an assignment of their store and lands.

Afterwards, merehantile business was established at Western Star by their brother, Dudly Griswold. Subsequently by Dudly and William Griswold and Sanford D. Clark, under the name of Griswolds and Clark. Another was for a time carried on by Ezekiel Richards and Harry Lucas.

Dr. Samuel Austin, a physician of considerable note, located at Western Star in 1823, and Dr. A. Fisher, now of Chicago, and for a time his partner, Dr. Amos Warner) had an extensive medical practice.

Wadsworth maintained a rivalry for the supremacy as centers of business, with about equal results and equal population, till the location of the railroad depot at Wadsworth caused it to distance its rival. But Western Star has always been a pleasant village, with an enterprising* and thriving* population, and from the nearness of its location may be considered a part of the same community. It has two well supplied stores, a tannery, a pump factory and other manufactures, and an excellent public school.

As an illustration of the difference between the old and the new in the lifetime of one generation, it may interest the readers of these pages to inform them that Julius Richards, mentioned above, introduced from the East what was then (1823) a great improvement in the construction of coffins ; fastening the lid with screws instead of nails, and with hinges above the breast to let the top down. The initials of the name, arid the age, were also set with brass-headed trunk nails.

A fact has also been related to the compiler, since closing the pioneer history, that will come in well at this point. On the death of Mrs. Julia Loomis, near Western Star, in 1820, Mr. J. Miller, in making the coffin, could find but 18 nails in Wadsworth ; and Mr. Phineas Butler, on the night before, by the light of a torch, drew out 11 more from the boards of his new house. Those nails he had brought with him from Onondaga county, New York.

Wadsworth From 1840 To 1800

The next twenty years after the pioneer era were the least eventful in the history of the town ; the farms being' cleared up, and the known material resources developed, there was little scope for new enterprises. The most that could be expected of a country village in such circumstances is that it should hold its own. And it is here that the value of right beginnings in a new settlement is always seen. When the novelty of pioneer life has passed away; when the differing races have begun to coalesce, and a generation grown up together have become harmonious; it* that generation have not deteriorated, the fruit testifies for the seed planted. In this we see the value of the planting of churches and the founding of schools, in the inception of a settlement ; for, though the population may gradually change, still their influence is felt upon succeeding generations.

Every one who has gone through the vicissitudes of pioneer life is aware of the fact that its tendency is to beget a spirit of adventure, to the extent that comparatively but few of the first settlers of a frontier town, or their children, whose earliest impressions were amid the adventurous beginnings, are known to remain and spend their lives there. Especially is this true of those of Anglo Saxon, or Celtic origin. So that the same individuals are often found among the adventurous frontiersmen in two or more States; often moving on till old age overtakes them upon the frontier.

The compiler of this work is himself an illustration of this. Though returning after an absence of nearly thirtylive years, to be the chronicler of the place where he spent his youth, during the interval he has been no less than six times, and in four different States, among those who would be accounted pioneers of the settlement. Even on his way to address the pioneer meeting, the history of which has been given, he was solicited to stop in another State, where he spent the first ten years and address a similar gathering, on the same week, being claimed as a pioneer there also.

The rapid opening of the States of the interior, westward of Ohio, became an incentive to new emigration, to such as had been among the first settlers, or their children who had grown up while as }'et all things were new. This period was consequently marked by great changes of population; so great that many names of the old families that counted not a few upon the poll books and muster rolls, nearly or quite disappeared. Particularly was this true of the New England portion. Selling out and moving on the front wave of civilization, and their old homes passing into the hands of the wealthier, but more conservative Teutonic race, or what are sometimes termed " Pennsylvania Germans," till the proportion of the two races was reversed. This also seriously affected the original churches, particularly the Congregational and Methodist, which through these causes became, during this period, almost extinct; while a large church of the German Reformed denomination, and another of the Mennonite, the members of both being chiefly of German descent, attracted the major part of the church-going population, till the revival of business by the location of the railroad and the discovery of rhe coal-mines, brought again members of those two denominations, and a resurrection of their churches. During that period also, the old Wadsworth Academy was suspended, and the octagon building occupied for that purpose was converted into a church.

In the early part of this period, 1842, the present church edifices for the Disciple and Congregational churches were erected. The architect of both was George Hinsdale, son of Capt. Elisha Hinsdale, and brother of Albert Hinsdale. He was a young man of good education and superior ability. He was taken sick before the first was finished, and died before the last was completed. His last work was the drafting of the design for the singers' gallery in the Congregational church. His funeral was the first held in the Disciple church.

The years 1844 and 1848 were memorable for a malignant epidemic that visited the township, carrying oft* by death a large number of its inhabitants. It prevailed very extensively in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Michigan, and was known as malignant erysipelas, or erysipalatus fever. The following description, written by Dr. C. N. Lyman, one of the physicians who treated for the disease, may be valuable for a historic reference, both as to the disease and its treatment.

in compliance with your request, I send you a brief description of the epidemic by which this town was visited in the years 1844-48. Yours truly,

During the year 1844, there occurred within the limits of the township, an epidemic of erysipelas, very severe in its character and fatal in its results, selecting for its victims some of the best of our citizens of adult age. It was confined mostly within the limits of the township, though extending somewhat into the townships of Norton and Chippewa. It began in the month of January, and continued until the following August, when its virulence subsided, with occasional manifestations until the winter of 1848, when it reappeared in the east part of the towns of Guilford and Montville, with its accustomed fatality, and again made its appearance in this township, marking as its own a number of our prominent citizens.

Its mode of attack was almost always in the form of inflammation of the throat and fauces, with a disposition to migrate to other parts of the body, usually selecting the serous membranes. Sometimes, however, the muscular and adipose tissues would be the seat of the metastatic attack. The change from the throat to the point of attack would be sudden, and for ft few hours the patient would flatter himself that lie was convalescent, when a rigor and restlessness would supervene, telling, too often fatally, that the hope was only a delusive one. When the serous membranes were the seat of the disease, the formation of pus was a rapid process, the patient frequently dying within three days. A post-mortem examination would disclose the serous cavities filled with pus. When the muscular and adipose tissues were the seat of the disease, pus was formed in enormous quantities if the patient survived long enough. Frequently, however, death supervened too rapidly for this process to mature.

That portion of the epidemic which occurred in 1844 was most successfully treated by large and rapid depletion, some patients requiring to be bled to faintness, two or three times within thirty-six hours. This was markedly the case when the serous membranes were involved. When the other tissues were the seat of the disease, bleeding was not of such manifest utility. Some cases were so rapid as to call for the directly opposite treatment, and they were as rapidly fatal.

When the disease reappeared in a severe form in 1848-49 bleeding and depletion was not tolerated at all. In the few cases in whieli^hey were tried, in the commencement of the outbreak, th (Results were so unsatisfactory that those measures were abandoned immediately. This latter manifestation of the disease showed less predilection for the serous membranes than the former. In the first epidemic, with a population of about 1200, there were 124 wellmarked cases, 25 of which proved fatal. The later epidemic was spread over more territory, but the proportion of deaths to those attacked was greater. Since that time it has not appeared in an epidemic form.

Wadsworth Coal- Mine S.

At an early day bituminous coal was known to exist in some parts of the township, before all its uses or its true commercial value were known or thought of. -More than fifty years since, small quantities of coal were found in various localites. in digging wells.

About 1829, coal in beds, cropping out near the surface, was found both in the northeastern and southeastern portions of the township; and small quantities for several years were mined for domestic use, and the limited manufacturing of the region. But the location of the Atlantic and Great Western Railroad, bringing these mines into connection with the great coal markets afforded by the ci tics and extensive manufactories of the State, not only made them sources of wealth, but by developing an extensive business added greatly to the growth and prosperity of the village, and of the township at large; a village by itself having grown up, composed .of a population wholly connected with the mining and shipping of coal, at Silver Creek, the point of shipment, a mile and a half southeast of the depot. The first mining of coal for commercial purposes commenced at that point, in Feb., 1 8f >9 .

The amount of coal sent off by railroad daily from the Humphrey & Coleman bank. Silver Creek Station, and from the Wadsworth mines, a little farther southeast, is ascertained to average from 400 to 500 tons per day.

Coal-mines have been opened in four localities in the township. The Humphrey Coleman mines, the Wadsworth mines, the Town-line mines in the northeast corner (the bed extending into four townships. The coal of this mine is of a superior quality, and being remote from the railroad, is mined wholly for home consumption, in the villages of Western Star, Wadsworth, and Bates' Corners, and the country around). The Stony Ridgemines have abundant supplies, but, are not at present worked. Large portions of the Silver Creek mines, that have their outlet in the township of Chippewa, are also located in this township.

The first shipment of coal at Wadsworth was soon after the completion of the railroad, in 1863 ; brought from the Silver Creek mines in Chippewa, in wagons, till the completion of the branch road. Those mines are the most extensively worked of any in the vicinity - their annual exports amounting to about 100,000 tons. Since the completion of the Tuscarawas Valley R. R.. they have ceased to forward at Wadsworth.

Atlantic And Great Western Railroad

This road is a continuation of the New York and Erie road. Like that road it is of broad guagc. 11 runs from the Erie road, starting at Salamanca. X. Y., and terminating at Dayton. Length, 389 miles. By an arrangement with the Cincinnati, Hamilton, and Dayton road, a third

Closely connected with the location of the railroad, and owing chiefly to this, has been the rapid growth of the town into a place of extensive business. The existence of the coal-mines, «and the desirableness of the location as a center of business, had much to do in determining the location of the road here, rather than farther south. The height of the land north determined its location south of the original and present center of business, and built up what is known as South Wadsworth - the seat of the principal manufacturing interest.

Incorporation Of The Village

The increase of population after Ihe opening of the railroad soon rendered it expedient to secure an incorporation. Especially was it thought desirable- for the benefits to be derived for school purposes.

The movement commenced in 1865. The papers were drawn up by Aaron and H. C. Pardee. Esqs., Dr. C. N. Lyman acting as agent for the people. Owing to a mistake in dates, it became necessary to make a second publication, so that it was not consummated till 1866. First election, April 4th. The first officers under the corporation : Aaron Pardee, Mayor: J. C. Houston, Recorder; C. N. Lyman, Wm. F. Boyer, John Lytle, W. T. Ridenour, and Luman P. Mills, Trustees.

about one and one-half miles ; and from east to west, about a mile; the whole area, 896 acres of land; a little over one and on e-third square miles, or about one-twentieth of the township.

The incorporation of the village necessitated the erection of a building for council room, police court, jail, etc. This was provided by designing a plan for a township hall for holding elections and public meetings, with rooms for post-office, council hall, and " lock-up ;" tlie last two in consideration that a larger proportion of the tax would be paid by people living upon the corporation.

There was great opposition manifested against the measure by people living off the corporation ; but it was carried in a legal form, in a manner somewhat amusing.

Town Hall - " leaving it for each voter to add his yes, or no. Neglecting to do this, or scratching out the words, made it equivalent to no vote. It is related that about sixty voters of the township indignantly scratched off* the words "For building Town Hall/' which instead of being a vote against, made it simply a nullity. So the majority vote was For building Town Hall. A convenience that probably no one in or out of the corporation now regrets. It was built by township tax, in 1867, at a cost of $5,000. It is a substantial brick structure, two stories high. The lower story has a commodious front room for the postoffice, and back o>f it the room for council room and police and village justice's courts, and a room for securing prisoners, or lodging vagrants; or, in common parlance, " tramps."

Revival And Enlargement Of Business

With the completion of the railroad, a large and active business sprang up. Real estate rose in value. Building ots, both for business houses and residences, were in great demand, and the village was enlarged, and surveyed into streets and lots. Merchants, manufacturers, and tradesmen saw this to be a desirable point.

Previous to 'that time, the place could support but about two retail stores, and manufacturing was confined to one wagon and carriage shop, one match factory, tannery, blacksmith shop, cabinet shop, shoe shop, and sawmill.

The place then supported one physician and one lawyer. There was one old, dilapidated schoolroom ; and though there were four church buildings, two of them were not statedly used. But from that time a change came over the place. With the revival of business there was also a revival of enterprise, and new channels of business began to be opened, companies for mining and manufacturing to be formed, whose operations were not confined to the town, but in some cases extending even into other States.

The growth of business has from that time been steadily forward; increasing till the retail business has required the erection of two extensive brick blocks, and other buildings; till the retail establishments for dry goods, for clothing, fancy goods and millinery, groceries, hardware boots and shoes, drugs and medicines, furniture, flour and feed, harness and leather, watches and jewelry, cigars and pipes, etc., now exceed thirty.

Since that period, also, a large and beautiful structure has been erected tor school purposes, and graded schools of a superior order established : a College founded, and now in operation under an able board of instructors ; a large printing house established, with two improved cylinder presses constantly running, for newspaper and job work, from which one weekly and three monthlies are reg-

There are now three physicians and three lawyers, six organized churches (five within the corporation), with settled pastors and commodious houses of worship.

Public Education

Before giving an account of the present educational facilities, it may be well to refer to the efforts of former years to make provision for the education of the youth of the town.

As stated in the pioneer history. Miss Harriet Warner heads the list of teachers, having taught a private school in her father's house, in 1816. Marcus Brown first teacher of a pubic school, in the winter of 1816-17. The early settlers from New England and New York had enjoyed the benefits of schools in their Eastern homes, and were not the ones to suffer their children to grow up in ignorance. The German portion were tenacious of the German language, and though they were desirous of educating their children, most of them for several years preferred to support German schools.

Before the establishing of a complete school system by the Legislature, the inhabitants of the Western Reserve inaugurated in each town a voluntary public school system. Then log schoolhouses were built by private labor, and an annual school-meeting was held, and what was called a school committee was appointed to provide teachers for the winter and summer schools, usually of four and five month's duration. Those who sent paid by t lie number of days of each scholar's attendance. When the teacher was a resident it was not uncommon, in the scarcity of money, for such as could pay in no other way to repay the teacher by work on his farm, in summer, day for day.

of ignoramuses, is entirely mistaken. The best education and talent were always in demand, and the teachers, schools, and scholars of that day when books were scarce, and when none of the modern facilities were in existence, would compare favorably with those of the present, taking into the account the altered circumstances. Though books were scarcer, and the course of studies limited, there was a thoroughness in teaching and in the absence of anything to call oft* the attention of scholars, and an eagerness to learn that will al ways surmount all difticulties.

Of the early teachers of Wadsworth, the writer can vividly recall those who inspired their scholars with a desire for knowledge; and the old copies of Webster's Spellingbook, American Preceptor, Columbian Orator, and English Reader (read over and over tor want of variety), with Dabol's Arithmetic, Morse's Geography, and Murray's Grammar, with their time-soiled pages testified to thorough use and earnest study.

Those old teachers, Sherman Loomis, George Lyman, Lemuel North, and John Nesmith, deserve particular mention. It would be difficult at this time to find a better rhetorical reader than Lemuel North, or one who inspired his scholars with a loftier ambition than did either of those worthies. And not a tew who have made their mark as scholars, and in the learned professions, received their first inspiration in those log-house seminaries.

In 1830, while the first Congregational church was being finished, a plan was suggested by Frederick Brown, and unanimously approved by the society, to give the use of the house free for a select school, on condition that the young men who desired such a school should provide the seats and desks, so prepared as to be convenient for use either for schools or public meetings. The plan was accepted by a sufficient number, the house finished, and a meeting called to provide for such school. F. Brown, Chairman ; Dr. G. K. Pardee, Secretary. A committee

George W. Barnes, a student of Western Reserve College (from Medina), was employed as teacher. The school was advertised, both in the neighboring papers and by posters, under the name ot Wadsworth Academy. Such schools were held in the winters, till in 1834 John McGregor, a native of Scotland, a graduate of St. Andrew's College, Glasgow, came to the place and proposed to teach such a school through the whole year. His proposition was accepted, and he continued as teacher, with one year's interval. till the year 1847.

We sometimes meet with a man of brilliant mind, who seems to have been born with a mission : successful in one direction and in that one alone. Yet that success so marked as to out-distance all competitors. Such a man was John McGregor. He seemed to have been made for a teacher. In those days the fame of Wadsworth Academy, which was simply John McGregor with a house to teach in, extended far and near, and was known even beyond the limits of the State. But few teachers have had so many pupils who have been successful in after life, mainly through the impulse given to them by one mind. His method was simple, perfectly natural, yet inimitable. Graduates of a modern normal school would have found much to criticise in the order he kept. But what cared the enthusiastic Scotchman, so long as his scholars were daily drinking in his instructions and catching his enthusiasm, while their lessons were not conned over, but learned till they knew that they knew them ?

He scorned all codes o^ rules for the government of his scholars. " You are gentlemen and ladies," he would say ; " you have come here for one purpose, and that alone. It is your school, not mine, and you will see to it that nothing shall call me from the one work of giving instruction. 1 rely solely upon your own self-respect and sense of propriety and honor." It was very rarely that he reproved, but if it had to be administered it left a scar. But such was his simplicity of heart, and sincerity, that if on reflection he thought he had done any injustice to a pupil, he would voluntarily ask pardon before the whole school. He loved and took -a pride in his pupils, and his pupils loved and were proud of their teacher.

Among the educational means of an early day, the public libraries formed no small part. The first circulating library was obtained in 1822. In the winter of that year. Judge Brown having returned on a visit to Connecticut, obtained by donation from his old neighbors in Colebrook, a good collection of valuable books, which he brought home in a chest, in a one-horse wagon, a journew of 600 miles, in the month of February. These books formed the nucleus of a circulating library, in charge of a society of ladies, called the Wadsworth Female Library Association ; of which Mrs. Cliloe 8. Brown Avas President; Mrs. Polly Lyles, Vice President ; and Mrs. Clymena Loomis. Librarian. This library association continued several years.

In 1823. another and larger library was established in the eastern part of the town, called the Wadsworth Farmers' Library. Of the first named library, two volumes are still held as relics. One, Josephus' Annals, by E. G. Loomis ; (he other, Bun van's Holy War, by E. Brown. Afterwards, a library association with a more extensive collection of books, was formed at the Center ; Dr. G. K. Pardee, Librarian.

Much credit is due to the young men of that period for the efforts made in behalf of education. It Avas a call of young men. headed by Horatio Warner, that convened the first meeting for taking measures for a select school, in 1830.

In 1828, the young men met in the log schoolhouse and organized a lyceum, under the name of the Wadsworth Literary Club. The same company also formed a rhetorical school, and chose Capt. George Lyman as teacher. They held weekly evening schools for speaking, acting of dialogues and coloquies, at the house of Benjamin Agard, and concluded with an exhibition in the unfinished upper story of the new house of William Eyles.

The exhibition, after the ancient style of dramatic performances, was opened by the recitation of a prologue, composed for the occasion by one of the young men,* which is given verbatim, from memory, and will answer as a specimen of Wadsworth pioneer poetry.

Criticism being* thus disarmed, the exhibition was by universal consent pronounced a " success." This exhibition was enlivend by an orchestra, consisting of a flute, clarinet, bass-viol, violin, and bassoon ; played by Uriah M. Chappel, W. S. Richards, James Newcomb, Julius Richards, and Ezekiel Richards.

A little subsequently, Dr. Pardee, at the request of the young men, who contributed to defray the expenses of experiments, delivered a full course of chemical lectures. John McGregor also gave a course of lectures upon ancient history.

Of that class of young men who, amid so great disadvantages, " did the best their circumstances would allow," of which a poet sage says, u Angels could do no more," not one of them found life a failure. Not one lies hi a drunkard's grave ; not one has been an inmate of a prison or almshouse ; not one but has risen to respectable stonding,

&hd attained success in his calling. As educational institutions, the saloon and billiard-hall were then unknown. Let the fruits of each tell for themselves. " Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

About 1829-31, the township was finally districted for school purposes, and more commodious frame structures built. These have since given way to still larger ones, principally built of brick, with the modern improvements. This brings us to the history of the public school building of Wadsworth village.

This was begun in 1869. The draft for the building was made by the late Col. S. C. Porter, architect, of Cleveland* It is a large brick building, erected at a cost of $25,000. The money was raised by bonds at 8 per cent. The interest and a part of (he principal paid each year. Of that sum, there was still outstanding Jan. 1, 1875, $9,300. The building is of three stories, with Mansard roof. The whole upper story is furnished for a hall.

Founding Of A College

An important feature in the history of the town is the founding of a College, situated within the corporation limits. An institution that, though in its infancy, is doubtless destined to attain a future greatness and exert a widespread influence, from the fact that it is the only institution in the United States under the patronage of a large and wealthy Christian denomination.

The statistics of the denomination in 1860, showed that their communities in the United States and Canada numbered 128,000 members. Having no College or Theological Seminary in the United States, and being chiefly of German descent and speaking the German language, and but few of their churches paying their ministers a salary, a majority, especially of the Old School Mennonites, being opposed to salaried preaching, the want of a thoroughly educated ministry was extensively felt by the better educated class. That branch of the church called the New Mennonites, in I860, called a general conference of the churches in West Point, Lee county, Iowa (the first held in the United States), at which the following resolutions were passed, and are copied from a literal translation from their minutes, published in the German language :

1. That all the divisions of the Mennonite church in North America, without regard to minor points of difference, should extend to each other the brother-hand.

2. That nothing should sever the brother-tie, except departure from the fundamental doctrines that have always been cherished by our churches since the days of Men no Simons.*

*Those fundamental doctrines above referred to are baptism after instruction, nonjuration, or not taking of oaths, and non-resjstance, or the not taking up of arms.

In the meantime funds were raised, and at a third conference, held at Summerfield, Illinois, Wadsworth, Ohio, was decided upon as the location, and a committee of management appointed. At that conference it was resolved :

2. That the name of the institution shall be, The Christion Educational Institute of the Mennonite Community, and shall be in all respects under the auspices of the general conference.

3. That only such men can be employed as officers or teachers as take a lively interest in the prosperity of the Mennonite communities, and the welfare of the Church of Christ in general.

4. Only such men can be employed as teachers in this instiution as possess a thorough knowledge of the Bible, and are conversant with the doctrines of Salvation through Christ, and of the general doctrines of the Mennonite churches, and heartly approve them. To wit : Nonjuration, adult baptism, and non-resistance, as taught by Mien no Simons, and based upon the gospel.

5. The German language shall be the principal one taught, but other languages as necessity may call for ; and the full course shall be three years.

In 1864, the base of the building was erected, and in 1865 the main building, a substantial brick structure, under the direction of Aaron Kent, of Pennsylvania, architect and builder. This first building is 65 feet by 38, with three stories and a basement. It stands at the geographical center of the township, and at the western limit of the corporation. The cost of the building and grounds was $17,000.

This institution being the only one in this country of a large and able denomination, it is hoped and believed that as its benefits become known, they will be induced to give it a more liberal support, that the necessity shall be felt and the way opened to the addition of such departments as shall afford facilities for a thorough classical and scientific education, invite the patronage of the whole community, and the institution become one of the chief attractions of the place.

Revival And Enlargement Of The Churches

A history of the early churches of the township was given in the memorial sermon. It is now in place to continue the history down to the present time.

The Congregational church from 1839 to 1842 enjoyed the ministry of Rev. Aaron K. Wright, a young man of superior ability, very much beloved by his people, and respected by the community ; and his death was lamented by all. He was succeeded by Rev. M. H. Wilder, two years, and W. Robinson, one year. The changes of population before referred to, and emigration of members of the church, reduced it in numbers till but ten members, two male and eight female, remained in 1861.

With the revival of business came members of that denomination, and in 1862 the church building was repaired, and the church resuscitated. It was supplied from year to year by various ministers, till Rev. Daniel E. Hatheway was settled as pastor and ordained, Nov., 1868. During his ministry the church was enlarged and strengthened.

He resigned his pastorate in March, 1874, and Rev. Edward brown was invited and acce pted the position. Arrived and commenced his labors August 8, 1874, the 55th anniversary of the organization of the church, at which services, he, then a little child, was present.

The Methodist church was also revived, and in 1867 their house of worship was enlarged and re-modeled. They have been supplied with a ministry since their first organization, according to the itinerating system of that denomination. The church is now in a prosperous condition, with a commodious house and convenient parsonage, under the pastoral charge of Rev, A. Pollock.

The Disciple church have continued their worship in their church, finished in 1842, under various pastors, among them Revs. A. B. Green and H. Jones, and the last of whom were Rev. J. F. Rowe, Rev. J. Knowles from April, 1869, to April, 1872, and Rev. C. F. W. Cronemeyer present pastor. The present conditio i of the church is prosperous, with good congregation and interesting Sunday-school.

The organization of the Reformed church was effected on the 24th day of October, 1858. Its first pastor was Rev. Jesse Schlosser, who began his labors here about four months previous to the organization. During his pastorate the services were held in the Congregational and Disciple churches, kindly furnished by their congregations.

Six members constituted the church at the beginning. Their names, in the order in which they appear upon the record, are Henry Yockey, Catherine Yockey, John C. Kremer, Lidia lvremer, E. K. Kremer, and Isaac Griesemer. The first officers were Henry Yockey, Elder, and J. C. Kremer, Deacon.

The second pastorate was that of Rev. Jesse Hines, who began his labors June 1st, 1860. It was under his pastorate that the old octagon academy building, and lot (elsewhere mentioned in this work), were purchased of Aaron Pardee, for $150, and converted into a house of worship. It was dedicated October 6th, 1861 ; Revs. S. R. Leiter and Wm. McCaughey preaching the dedicatory sermons.

Ilis successor was Rev. S. C. Goss, the present pastor, Tvho entered on his labors August 1st, 1866. At the beginning of his labors the membership numbered 43. The present numerical strength of the congregation is 115.

Early in this pastorate, the congregation greatly beautified the old academy building. A new roof was put on, and it was re-painted outside and inside ; also papered after a most beautiful design. Besides this, other improvements, which taken together gave a most delightful inside appearance to the " Eight-Cornered Church."

The groAving interest and membership, liOAvever, began to point to the need of a larger house of worship. A movement in this direction was originated in the Consistory, early in 1872. Subsequently it was seconded by the congregation, and actual work in getting out material commenced in October of that year.

The cornerstone was laid June 29th, 1873, and on the 28th of December of the same year, the congregation was permitted to Avitness the dedication of their present beautiful church building, situated on the old site, on High Street, Avhere now stands a sanctuary Avhich, for architectural

J. Jas. Hoffman, J. C. Kremer, Elders ; Hiram Yaukey, Henry Shelly, Deacons. Together with the pastor, these constitute the Consistory, and they also are the trustees in charge of the church property.

Emmanuel's Church, Reformed and Lutheran, is noticed in the memorial sermon as being organized as a Union church of the two denominations ; its location being in the corners of the three townships of Wadsworth, Norton, and Chippewa. The first log meeting-house was built on the Chippewa, or Wayne county side of the line, and the town line cemetery located on the same side. This church has continued in existence ever since. Their different pastors, as nearly as I have been able to ascertain, were - Lutheran, Messrs. Merrick, Weigant, and Fast; Reformed, Benjamin Faust, Solomon Sonnerdecker, Charles Zwisler, John W. Harmer, E. D. Miller, and S. B. Leiter. About 1832, a large frame church was erected on the Norton side, and in 1873 the present new and commodious building, on the site of the old log church.

There was for a few years in the southern portion of the township, a small church of the denomination known as Albrights (one of the offshoots from the Methodist church), but as a church it has for some years been extinct. The Baptist church formed in the northwestern portion of Wadsworth and southwestern of Sharon, has likewise for several years been out of existence.

Of the denomination known as Mennonites, a name derived from their founder, or, as it is claimed, restorer of - the church, Menno Simons, there are three divisions in Wadsworth. First, the Old Mennonites.

The first of that order who became a resident was Mr. Henry Geissinger, in 1825 ; the same year, Martin Overholtz and Joseph Overholtz, In 1827 they were joined by

Philip Geissinger, Daniel Wideman, John Long, Nicholas Kurtz and son, Samuel Kuitz, and Abraham Beam. In 1833, Rev. William Overholtz came, who was their first stationary preacher, and a church, or society was organized. Alter the death of Mr. Overholtz, Abiali Rohrer became the stated preacher. Mr. Rohrer is at this time (Feb., 1875) still living, at an advanced age. Jacob Coppes was also a preacher among them during the pastorates of Messrs. Overholtz and Rohrer. I have not been able to procure any definite statistics of their membership. They have a good house of worship near the township line, but within the limits of Guilford township.

The New Mennonite church was organized in October, 1852. Original members, Rev. Ephraim Hunsberger and wife, Jonas Nice and wife, Henry Nice and wife, Jacob Overholtzer and wife, Elias Smith and wife, and John Alderfer. Mr. Hunsberger has been the pastor of the church since its first organization. A brick church-building was erected soon after the organization of the church, at the junction of the Medina road, one mile west of the corporation. The present membership numbers 95. The Mennonite College, of which we have given a history, is under the auspices of this branch of the denomination.

The Evangelical Mennonites have also an organization, made in 1873, and purchased the octagon church, once used for an academy building, and have repaired it and fitted it up in convenient form. Rev. Eusebius Harsha is their present pastor.

The War Record Of Wadsworth

Among tlie pioneer settlers of ^Wadsworth, there were accounted seven who had borne arms in behalf of their country in the war of the Revolution, which we give with the State from which they enlisted.

To this list may be added the names of four other veterans, whose residence was just over the line in Norton, but were a part of the same community.

In the great struggle for the nation's life, the part borne by citizens of Wadsworth was one worthy to be commemorated in the history of the town.

The first enlistments were in the 29th Reg., O. T. I., Co. H. Thomas Eolger, Hiram Root, Frank H. Boyer, and Eli Overliolt. They enlisted Oct. 28th, 1861. They were in the battle of Winchester, Virginia, and at Port Republic, June 9th 1862, in which Hiram Root and Eli Overholt were taken prisoners. Root, being wounded, was sent to Libby prison ; Overholt to Belle Isle. Root was exchanged Sept. 1st, 1862, and joined his regiment. Overholt was exchanged, and returned Sept., 1862, and joined his regiment in 1863. F. H. Boyer and Thomas Folger were in the battles of Cedar Mountain, second Bull Run, and Gettysburg]!. Root was discharged on account of his wound.

Overliolt was wounded in the left leg, in Hooker's campaign, and after lying in hospitals at Acquia Creek, Washington, and Cincinnati, tor eight months, was discharged.

Bover served his time of enlistment, and re-enlisted one year in Hancock's Veteran Reserve Corps. Folger remained with his regiment, re-enlisted, and participated in the grand march of Sherman u from Atlanta to the sea," and reached the rank of First Lieutenant.

In October, 1861, three citizens, T. W. Screene, R. McNaull, and John Reed enlisted in the 6th Ohio Battery. They were in the battle of Mill Springs, Jan. 10th, 1862 ; the siege and taking of Corinth ; the rapid march to save Louisville, Ky. ; the battle of Paynesville ; at the taking of Chattanooga ; the battle of Chicamauga, and the battle of Missionary Ridge. December, 1863, they re-enlisted in the battery ; after which, they were in the bloody battles of Resaca and Adairsville, and at Dallas ; at the six weeks constant lighting at Atlanta. Then in the engagement at Columbia, Term., Nov. 27th; at Spring Hill, Nov. 29th; and with Foote's Cavalry at Franklin, Nov. 30th. Again at Nashville, Dec. 14th ; at Oveton Hill. In April, 1865 were marched to Richmond, when Lee surrendered. They were in all the engagements with the battery.

which were Cumberland gap, Chicasaw Bluffs, Arkansas Post, Magnolia Hill, Champion Hill, Black River Bridge, Vicksburg, Jackson, Comite River.

u That regiment was in 97 battles and engagements, marched an aggregate distance of 27,000 miles, served in 5 different armies forming a continuous line of armies from the head waters of the Arkansas to the mouth of the James; and its dead, reposing where they fell, form a vidette line half across the continent - a chain of prostrate sentinels, 2,000 miles long."*

In August, 1862, part of Company I, Regiment 103, O. V. I., was made up in Wadsworth. First enlistment: Edward Andrews, 2d Lieut. Resigned, May 19tli, 1865. Henry A. Mills, Sergt., 1st, and 2d Lieut.

These served through campaigns in the Kanawa Valley, W est Virginia, Southeast Kentucky, East Tennessee, Arkansas, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Participated in the battles of Tazwell, Tenn., Aug. 6th, 1862, Chicasaw Bluffs, Miss., Dec. 27, 28, and 29, 1862. Magnolia Hilb Miss., May 1st, 1863, Champion Hill, or Baker's Creek, Miss., May 16th, 1863, Black River Bridge, Miss., May 17th, 1863, siege and capture of Jackson, Miss., from July 7th to 15th, 1863. Campaign on the coast of Texas, and on Red River, Louisiana; building of Great Dam at Alexandria, La., to float the gunboats over the rapids, besides numerous other forays and skirmishes in the enemy's country.

Three young men, natives of Wadsworth, who had removed, died in the service. James L. Grotz, son of Abraham and Caroline Grotz, in the 7th Illinois Cavalry, died July 5th, 1862. Frederick G. Dean, born March 1st, 1834; died at Quincy, 111., May 17th, 1862. Stowell G. Dean, born Oct. 30th, 1838 ; died at Camp Dennison, May 6th, 1862 ; sons of Benjamin Dean ; members of Co. G, 13th Reg., Ia. V. I. Also a Mr. Shafer, died in service.

The following natives of Wadsworth served their term of three years in the 41st 111., and left an honorable record : John Baughman, John Loutzenheizer,

Establishment Of The Public Press

In the year 1866, a weekly newspaper, called the Wadsworth Enterprise , was established by John A. Clark and George A. Root. The first number was issued May 4, 1866. At the end of the first year, Mr. Clark purchased his partner's interest, and continued the publication alone till 1870, when Mr. Emmanuel Lowry became a partner for the term of one year ; since which time Mr. Clark has been the sole proprietor. The present weekly circulation of the Enterprise is about 1000.

In November, 1872, Mr. George *C. Bennett started a monthly juvenile paper at Clark's Corners, in Wadsworth township, called the Young Folks' Gem. The publication office was moved in December, 1873, to Sharon Center. By offering premiums and advertising, he secured a subscription list of 125,000. Mr. Bennett died March 20th, 1874. Mr. Clark, editor of the Enterprise , purchased the Gem of the administrator of Bennett's estate, and moved it to Wadsworth. Since that time its circulation has doubled, having at this time (Feb., 1875), 250,000 subscribers.

Mr. Clark has erected a commodious brick building, of three stories, with a basement for engine, with two cylinder presses, on which the Enterprise and Gem, and another monthly entitled Funny Things , are printed. Another monthly, published at Poe, in this county, called the Scholar , is printed at this office. There is also a job office for all kinds of printing attached. The establishment gives constant employment, in its various departments of business, to upwards of 30 persons; and by its facilities for publication, advertising, and job work, and by its publications going to every part of the Union and making the place known, is doing much for its prosperity. The Gem is taken in every State and Territory of the Union, has a large circulation in Canada, and is supposed to have a larger subscription list than any other juvenile paper in the world.

Wadsworth Of The Present

The preceeding sketches close the past history of the town, and bring it lip to the present time. It remains to briefly sketch the present aspect of the place, its business and resources, and future prospects.

It may now be set down as one of the growing villages of the State, destined to be in the future a place of importance, and become extensively known. It is a railroad center for a large section of country. The near vicinity of the coal-mines has made it a good location for manufacturing. and extensive manufactures have sprung up. Of these we will mention some of the more prominent.

Manufacture Of Agricultural Implements And Mac Hinery

In 1865, a company was organized for this purpose, consisting of Silas P. Chandler, II. Z. Chandler, E. G. Loomis, E. H. Loomis, George Wise, A. K. Penny packer, and II. G. Folger, under the name of the Wadsworth Machine Company. A large building was erected near the depot, and litted up with steam-works, and furnace for casting, with all kinds of machinery necessary for manufacturing threshing-machines, horse-powers, seeders, horse-rakes, plows, cultivators, harrows, and all kinds of farm machinery; together with farm wagons and sleds, and all kinds of castings in common demand. It has usually employed about 30 hands, and its machinery is extensively known, and sales extend into other States.

In 1872, S. P. and H. Z. Chandler purchased the interest of all the other partners, and the business has been carried on under the namevof S. P. Chandler & Bro. In October, 1874, the building was burned with all its appurtenances; but the insurance upon it of over $26,000 was promptly paid, and it is now being rebuilt on an enlarged scale, with the design on the opening of spring to enlarge its operations beyond wliat has been done heretofore.

Manufacture Of Paints

This business was started in 1873, by a company consisting of H. Z. Chandler, Philander Chandler, E. G. Loomis, Abiei Briggs, and George Kingsbury, and a large business in the manufacture of paints established. The factory is now owned and carried on by H. Z. Chandler and William C. Burt.

Sash, Door, And Blinds

Of this department of business there are two manufactories, with sawmills attached. In 1867, J. G. Kulp, Sam. Nash, and Ephraim and Christian Hunsberger erected the larger factory near the depot. It is now owned by J. R. Laux, J. S. Oberholtzer, and Paul Wall. In the different departments of the business it employs from 12 to 15 hands.

In 1870, Abraham Yoder commenced the same business oa the site of the old Loomis & Beach sawmill. It is now owned by a company consisting of A. Yoder, T. W. Screen e, H. Hard, and D. Noll, under the business name of Yoder, Screene, & Co. Both establishments do a large business for the town and adjoining country.

Spring Bed-Bottom Manufactories

There are three establishments for the manufacture of spiral wire spring bed bottoms. The business was first begun by P. C. and E. J. Hard, on a principle of fastening the spring patented by Dr. Hanson Hard. Dr. Hard himself afterwards carried on the business about a year, and since that time W. N. Eyles and William Freeborn have continued the business at the old stand. They manufacture about 2,000 bed bottoms per annum. They also make spiral springs for chairs, and spring cushions and spring seats for wagons.

patented by P. C. Hard. In 1874, P. 0. Hard bought the shares of all the company. The business is now carried on by P. C. and E. J. Hard. They send off 5000 per annum. They also do a large business in the manufacture of single spring cots for hotels, boarding-houses, college rooms, etc.

All of these manufactures are of the same style of spiral wire ; their principal difference being in the mode of fastening the springs, which each is able to demonstrate to their customers is better than all the others.

Carriage Manufactures

This business was started about 1838, by George Beach and H. J. Travel*, and has been continued at the old stand since that time, under the names of Ii. J. Travel*, Travel* & Co., Stevenson, Browning, & Steele, and since 1872 by A. P. Steele and L. E. Browning as the firm of Browning & Steele. The establishment gives employment to about 20 hands, and will compete with any similar one in the beauty and finish of its wagons and carriages.

From 1867 to 1873, Josiali Andrews carried on the wagon making business at the old stand formerly occupied by his brother, Capt. Edward Andrews, deceased. In 1873, he enlarged the business by adding the manufacture of carriages. The establishment, though new, has obtained a good reputation. It gives employment to about 10 hands-

Wadsworth Woolen Mill

This establishment manufactures all-wool goods, such as cloth flannels, blankets, jeans, satinets, and all varieties of stocking yarn. The machinery consists of one wool-picker, five carding-machines, and one spinning-machine. It bittploys 4 hands in this department. Average amount of wool used per day, 80 pounds. The weaving room contains 7 narrow cloth and flannel looms, and one broad blanket loom. Amount of flannel per day from one loom, 40 yards ; cloth, 25 yards ; blankets, 25 yards ; one hand to each loom. The stocking yarn machinery consists of one twister and one doubler, each employing one hand. The finishing department contains one dyer to dye wool, flannel, and yarn ; one finisher to finish bolts and goods ready for market ; one wool-scourer to clean all the wool. Number of hands employed in all the departments, 18. The amount of wool consumed per annum is about 8,000 lbs.

Organ Manufactory

In 1874, Messrs Solomon Werley and James Scott commenced the manufacture of reed organs. Their work is ol superior quality. They claim for their organs superiority in quickness of speech, and power. They are young men, without large capital, doing their own work; but their business, for a new enterprise, is prosperous. Their work is receiving favor and gaining ground, with promise of future success.

Marble Works

There are also the usual shops which every village demands, among which are the shoe shops of Lyon & Funk, Pfeiffer & Hunsberger, Koplin, A. C. Beck & Son, and M. Bender; the harness shops of W. E. Beardsley and Joseph Recli ; and cigar manufactory of Yoder & Gunsaulis.

Furniture Mercantile

The whole number of retail stores of all kinds, large and small, is a little over thirty. Of these, there are the genera,! retail stores of dry-goods, groceries, and queensware, of Day kin & Hilliard, and of L. S. Gilbert, with large assortments of goods; the clothing and merchant tailoring establishment of Durling & Woodward, first established by James K. Durling, James Day kin, and John J. Woodward ; and that of H. Bolich Co. ; each doing an extensive business.

The hardware and iron store, establised in 1865 by E. Benedict and C. T. Clifford, has been owned by C. T. Clifford alone since 1867. lie has built up a large hardware trade where before the people went to Akron for all goods in that line. Since that time, S. T. Franks & Son have opened a lull store of the same kind, and Kreider Brothers another for the sale of stoves and tinware. What in 1865 seemed a hazardous business for one firm, has now grown into a large and prosperous one for three.

There are two watch, clock, and jewelry establishments, by C. H. Wood and M. C. Burdoin. Two flour and feed stores, by R. N. Hickox, and E. Stucker. The drug store of W. P. Curtis, with a large and full assortment ; and that of J. D. Ross, also well supplied. There are also two millinery stores, by Miss E. J. Fisher, and Mistresses Chapin & Wilcox.

Pastors Of The Churches

who is often mentioned in the pioneer portion of this history. He was born in Colbrook, Ct., Nov. 1st, 1814. He came with the family to Wadsworth in May, 1816, and spent most of his early years here. Was educated at Western Reserve College, Hudson. Removed to Indiana in 1840, and engaged in teaching in Peru and Logansport, and as principal of Lagrange Collegiate Institute, Ontario, hid. Studied law with Stuart & Biddle, of Logansport, and practiced as an attorney and counselor at law in Lima, Indiana, Otsego, Michigan, and Whitewater, Wisconsin ; in all about 9 years. Left the legal profession for the ministry, and commenced his labors at Wautoma, Wisconsin, in 1852. Was ordained at Green Bay, Jan. 13th, 1853. Preached at Wautoma, Waukau, Fond du Lac, La Crosse, La Crosse Valley, Wis., and at Zumbrota, and Medford, Min - nesota. Commenced his labors at Wadsworth Aug. 8tli, 1874.

Rev. S. C. Goss, pastor of the Reformed church, was born in Basil, Fairfield county, Ohio, in July, 1841, and entered upon his collegiate studies at Heidelberg College, at Tiffin, in August, 1857, graduating in June, 1862. He enlisted in the 90th Regiment, O. V. L, in the following August, and served as a private for two years ; after which he returned to Tiffin and began his theological studies? graduating in May, 1866. Was licensed at the synod a^ Galion, in the same month, and in August of the same year came to Wadsworth, and was ordained in October, 1866.

Rev. S. B. Leitcr (Reformed') was born April 19th, 1809, and reared near Leitersburg, Washington county, Maryland, and educated for the ministry at the theological institutions of the Reformed church located at York, Pennsylvania. He was licensed by the Maryland classis in 1835, and ordained at Hagarstown in November of the. same year. Was sent West soon after by the Board of Missions, and located at Mansfield. At the end of 9 years he moved to Rome, Richland county, where he lived five years ; then moved to Navarre, Stark county, where he resided for 18 years, coming* to Wadsworth in April, 1868, preaching in each of those places. Ilis present charge is Emmanuel's Church. He received the honorary degree of D. D. from Heidelberg College.

Rev. C. F. W. Cronemeyer, pastor of the Church of Christ (Disciple), was born in Detwold, Germany, April 4th, 1840. Emigrated to America in 1855. Graduated at Jefferson College, Cannonsburg, Pa., in 1865. Ordained to the ministry at New Baltimore, Ohio. Has labored in New Baltimore, and Streetsborough. Came to Wadsworth and commenced his pastoral work July 1st, 1872.

Rev. A. Pollock, pastor of the Methodist E. church, was born March 17th, 1837, in Washington township, Richland county, Ohio. He is of Scotch-Irish descentlie entered the ministry in the fall of 1861. His fields of labor have been Port Clinton, Clarksfield, Milan, Medina, Richfield, Penfield, and Wadsworth. Received a classical education in a private school.

Rev. E. Hunsberger, pastor of the Mennonite church? was born in Montgomery county, Pa., in 1814, and commenced preaching in that place in 1850. He removed to Wadsworth in 1853.

Dr. C. N. Lyman, son of George Lyman, was born in Wadsworth, Mar. 9th, 1819. Studied with Drs. G. K. Pardee and E. Kendrick. Graduated at Medical department of Transylvania University, Lexington, Ky. Commenced practice in Wadsworth in 1843.

Dr. N. S. Everhard, seventh son of Jacob Everhard, was born in Chippewa, Jan. 8th, 1841. Studied with Dr. A. Everhard, Ripon, Wisconsin. Graduated at Cleveland Medical College. Commenced practice in Wadsworth in 1868.

Dr. W. A. Briggs, son of Abiel Briggs, was born in Sharon, Jan. 22d, 1848. Studied with Dr. Lyman. Graduated at the Medical Department of Michigan University. Commenced practice in Wadsworth in 1871.

Attorneys At Law

Aaron Pardee, the youngest of the Pardee brothers, prominent among the pioneers of Wadsworth, son of Ebenezer and Anna Pardee, was born in Skeneateles, N. Y. Oct. 8th, 1808. Came to Wadsworth in 1824. Engaged in farming when a young man, but studied law in his leisure hours, until he acquired such a knowledge of it as to entitle him to admission to practice in the courts of the State. He was admitted to the bar in 1837. Since that time he has followed that profession in Medina county. He has been twice elected to the Senate of the State ; was the first Mayor of Wadsworth village ; President of the School Board, and Justice of the Peace; was Asssessor of Internal Revenue, by appointment of President Lincoln.

Henry Pardee, second son of Aaron, born in Wadsworth, was connected with his falher in legal business for several years. He is now Auditor of the county, at Medina.

George K. Pardee, fourth son of Aaron, Avas born in Wadsworth, 1840. Studied law with his father, and has been engaged in the profession since 1871.

Pulaski C. Hard, fourth son of Cyrus Hard, was born in Wadsworth, May 19th, 1831. Studied law Avith William Cunningham, Esq., at Canal Fulton. Graduated at the National Law School, Balston Spa, N. Y., in 1852. Commenced practice in Wadsworth, 1853.

Wadsworth Bank

This institution was established March 14th, 1873. with a capital of $50,000. Its present officers are : W. P. Curtis, J. K. Durling, H. Z. Chandler, E. G. Loomis, J. Lytle, Directors; John Lytle, President; A. L. Corman, Cashier.

Historical Sketch Of

The history of the country or* which Wadsworth is the center, especially its pioneer history, can not be properly given without a brief sketch of each of the four adjoining* townships. As in the early times the eastern part of Wadsworth formed one community with the western and northern portion of Norton ; the western with Guilford, and the southern with Chippewa; while the early settlement of Sharon was largely made up from Wadsworth - we shall devote a brief space to each, with such biographical sketches of the more prominent of the early settlers of each as can be obtained.

The town of Norton, lying east of Wadsworth, with it made up the original town of Wolf Creek, Portage county. On the organization of Medina county, it formed the southeastern township. It was named from Birdseye Norton, one of the original proprietors of the land. On the organization of Summit county, Norton, with all in the 12th range of townships, was set off from Medina county.

The first white man who had a habitation in the township, was the same John Holmes, or u Indian Holmes," who resided previously for a short time in Wadsworth. He had his cabin, guarded by four savage dogs, on Wolf

Creek, when the first settlers came in 1811. His squaw wife was the pioneer in female medical practice, being a celebrated u Indian doctoress," in roots and herbs.

Holmes' account of himself was that he was a native ot England. That he was in youth a clerk in a French trading establishment in Montreal, and was sent to Detroit with a small stock of goods to dispose of at a treaty council. That liis goods being stolen, he was afraid or ashamed to go back, and took up his abode with the Indians.

The first settler was John Caliow, from Maryland, who came with his sons, James, William, George, and Thomas, in 1810. The next, were James Robinson, from Otsego, N. Y., and Basil Caliow. In 1811, Hinsdale Bates, with his sons, Lyman, Dennis, Talcott, and Curtis, settled south of Johnson's Corners. In 1812, his sons Nathan, Lyman, and Dennis, took up the land around what has from that time been known as Bates' Corners.

In 1813, Theodore H. Parmelee, from Goshen, Ct., and Henry VanHyning, from Mohawk Valley, N. Y., with his sons, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Thomas, Henry, Andrew, and Sylvester.

In 1815, Peter Waltz, jr., John O'Brien, Samuel Baker, Phineas Barnes, Benjamin P. Hoadly, Ambrose Palmer, Elisha Hinsdale, Seth Lucas and sons, Samuel, Harry, Seth, and William.

In 1817, Dr. Miles Clark, and his brother, Judge Lyman Clark ; Levi Canfield and sons, William, Levi, and Dr. Elisha; Elias Ilurlbutt, William Holmes, Joachim Wilson, Silas Bronson, Phineas Bronson; Joseph Way and sons, Levi and Joseph; Joseph D. Humphrey, and John Hall; Samuel Green and sons, Alanson, William, Almon, and Philander; Peter Mills and William Carpenter.

In 1819, Jonathan Taylor and Chauncey Gilbert built a sawmill on Wolf Creek, in the northeast part of the township. In 1825, James Taylor, brother of J. Taylor, was killed by a sawlog rolling over his body.

In 1828, Thomas Johnson built the Mill on Hudson's Run, at what is known as Johnson's Corners. In 1832, he built another on the same stream, below the first. In raising this mill, Dennis Bates was accidentally knocked off the top, and instantly killed.

New Portage, first laid out as a village by Ambrose Palmer and Ephraim Roberts, was at an early day a flourishing village for so new a country. In 1823, Dr. Miles Clark, and one or two partners, set up a manufactory of glass, which did considerable business, but was suspended on his death in 1827.

The vicinity of the great swamp, and of the marshes of the Tuscarawas and Wolf Cieek, made the people of the place peculiarly subject to malarious fever, almost entire families being swept off. For a time, in 1824, only Dr. ( lark and his brother were able to take care of the sick. In 1826, so great was the sickness that the village was almost entirely deserted. The draining of the Tuscarawas marshes by the completion of the Ohio Canal, and clearing up and draining of the swamps in subsequent years, removed the cause, so that it has been healthy in later years.

Among the early settlers who took part in the Revolution, not before mentioned, were Henry Vanllyning, Hinsdale Bates, Samuel Baker, Phineas Bronson, Silas Bronson, Phineas Barnes, Cato Mead, Hosea Wilcox.

The first settlers coming just before the war of 1812, were in continual fear of being massacred by the hostile Indians, those in their vicinity seeming to be waiting the issue to decide on which side to array themselves.

It is related of John Cahow that he built a small stockade around his house, and his only window was a hole through the logs, opened and closed by a thick sliding plank. Vanllyning and Kirkum had bought their lands in 1812, but remained, the first in Northampton, and the other in Stow township, till after Perry's victory on Lake Erie, and the defeat of General Proctor and Tecumseh by General Harrison. The facts related by them in after years will illustrate the anxiety felt by the pioneers in those days.