Wooster Township

Wooster Township

This sub-division of Wayne county was named in honor of Gen. David Wooster, and was organized April ii, 1812, along with Sugarcreek, Mohican and Prairie townships. It had a population of one thousand one hundred and forty-five in 1870 and by 1900 had increased to seven thousand one hundred and sixty. This is the towmship in which the city of Wooster is situated, and as now divided contains only twenty-one sections. Franklin township is on its south while Plain is to its west, with Wayne township north and East Union on the east. Being situated as it is (surrounding the city of Wooster), its history is largely found in the city history given elsewhere in this volume. Benjamin Jones was one of the first settlers, and the following are some of his recollections concerning early times here :

In 1814 Mr. Jones went on horseback to Coshocton, accompanied by William Totten, to buy flour, bacon, salt, dried fruits, ets., for the early settlement, which commodities he placed on a pirogue and with the help of a few stout men paddled the rude boat to the waters of the Killbuck and up through the drift of that sluggish stream to the mouth of Applecreek, and thence up that creek to where the old Robison's Mill stood, within the incorporation of Wooster. This exploit of inland navigation was heralded with acclamation by the inhabitants of Wooster, who rushed to the boat to obtain their supplies. He built the first Inddge that was ever laid across the Muddy Fork, and constructed the road extending from Reedsburg across the quagmire to what was known as the "French Miller" property. He had sixteen men employed on the contract, and at night one-half of the number guarded the others while they slept. During this work one of his laborers was killed and literally mangled by the Indians. There were at this time but three houses between Wooster and Jeromeville. Several weeks were employed on this contract, Mr. Jones doing the cooking for his men in the woods and performing his duties with true early-day skill.

Mr. Jones constructed the first bridge on the Killbuck, on what was known as the Columbus Avenue road. He aided in securing the charter for the turnpike running from Wooster to Cleveland, and was a director and stockholder in the same. He exerted himself both in and outside the State

Legislature in behalf of the choice of the Killbuck route for the Ohio canal. In 1816-17 he built the hrst jail in Wayne county, constructing it cheaply from the old logs of the block house erected by George Stidger in 1812.

On July 4, 1824, Mr. Jones and wife, then keeping the Wooster Hotel, roasted an ox and prepared a grand dinner for the occasion. The tickets to this banquet sold at hfty cents and there were over three hundred sold. The ox was roasted among the elders and brush in the rear' of Lindell Sprague's residence. Many distinguished men were present, including Congressman John Sloan, Brigadier-General Beall, Judge Ezra Dean and others. After the dinner was over, Mr. Jones invited the children of the town to a free entertainment.

On one occasion Mr. Jones went to Morgan's, down the Killbuck, to get provisions, and among other things Mrs. Morgan gave him some fresh meat which she put in a large gourd of the capacity of a half bushel. The wolves, scenting the meat, pursued him with herceness and angry demonstrations, when several times he thought he would have to throw everything away and try to save himself.

While traveling on horseback up the Killbuck bottoms, south of Wooster, Mr. Jones captured three black bear cubs and put them in a sack over the saddle. They proved, however, to be heavier than he had calculated, and, hearing the mother of the cubs approaching, he considered it wise to throw one out of the sack, and gave the others away. He carried the mail from Canton to Mansheld on horseback. He aided in the organization of the hrst agricultural society, and he owned a colt that took the premium at the hrst county fair.

After an eventful career, both in public and private life, Mr. Jones died, honored by all who knew him. It was such characters as his that fashioned the foundation stones of the good government of his state and county.

Present City Officers

City Council - Charles A. Weiser, president; Harley H. Franks, clerk; meml)ers-at-large, Alax Bloomberg, Charles Lautenschlager, Charles F. Schopf ; first ward, John M. Russell; second ward, Wellington Matz ; third ward, P. U. Rice ; fourth ward, Samuel Kready.

put under a new "municipal accounting system," and the office of city auditor created. It is one of the most important offices in the municipality, involving as it does a large amount of especially particular accounting for the various funds of the city. Prior to this modern system, the bonds, refunding bonds, and many accounts were lumped together and were hard to understand or get information from, but with the new way all is clear and understandable. However, it requires more than an ordinary accountant or bookkeeper to form and run the various series of blanks and different books required in conformity to the new state law. James B. Minier was the first city auditor of this class, and has made an en\dable and state-wide reputation as an expert in his office.

The Fire Department

The first fire company organized in the city of Wooster was, according to the minute-book of the company, organized between 1825 and 1827. One entry reads that: "At a meeting of the WToster Fire Company No. i, convened at the house of William Nailer, Esq,, on Saturcla}q the 20th of January, 1827, Capt, John Smith called the company to order and Samuel Quinby was appointed secretary.

"On motion it was resolved, that said company appoint two persons to act as engineers ; six persons to act as ladder-men ; two persons to act as ax-men and two as pike-men for said company.

"Thereupon, William Goodin and D. O. Hoyt were elected engineers; Samuel Barkdull, David Lozier, James Nailer, John McKracken, Calvin Hobert and Benjamin Jones were appointed ladder-men; William H. Sloane

From that small beginning awa}^ back in 1827 has come the efficient department of the twentieth century. The present department, under city control, has a paid chief and two drivers, but the twenty men who respond to the fire alarm are men-about-town, who work at other employment days and sleep in the City Hall in rooms prepared for them especially, and for their services they get forty cents per hour when at fires. The engine house is within the municipal building, occupying two floors for the men and apparatus, A Gamewell system of alarms is in operation here. The apparatus includes a light hose wagon and modern ladders, with a chemical engine for certain places, and also there is in readiness a fire engine, but ordinary fires are extinguished by the direct pressure of the pumping station at the city water works.

Wooster Opera Houses

The first public hall of much consequence in Wooster was known as Arcadome Hall, that was built so as to be dedicated December 18, 1857. Its proprietors were Jo H. Baumgardner and Samuel Woods. The name Arcadome was coined in the poetical fancy of E. G. Clingan. It stood on East Liberty street near the present postofiice, and was destroyed by fire March 23, 1874. Another hall or opera house in the city w'as Quinby Opera House, located on the corner of Buckeye and Larwdll streets. It was formally opened February i, 1877, at which time "As You Like It" was presented to an overflowing house. This building was the enterprise of the Quinby Opera House Association, composed of Messrs. E. Quinby, Jr., president; E. P. Bates, secretary; J. H. Kauke, D. Q. Liggett, Ira H. Bates and D. C. Curry. Its dimensions were seventy b}" one hundred and four feet ; the auditorium was sixty by seventy feet, encircled on three sides by roomy balconies, the whole having a capacity of one thousand persons. It was named in honor of Mr. Quinby against his protest. This served many years and was finally razed to the ground and the lot used for other purposes. The next provision for an opera house was in 1887 wdien the city of Wooster planned the erection of its magnificent brick city building, when a portion of it was built for opera hall purposes, and is still the pride and comfort of the theater-loving people. It is modern and has all the conveniences of a w'ell-regulated theater. It is in all appointments a modern hall and has the latest fire-proof appliances, exits, screens, etc. It is managed by a local man and leased to him by the city, on the per cent. plan. This building was built in 1887 and is spoken of under head of City Buildings.

What is known as the Academy of Music, on West Liberty street, was erected originally in 1870 by John B. France, on the lot wdiere stood tlie first banking institution of Wooster, the old German Bank. This was a profitable enterprise and in 1883 was raised one story higher, making a very large stage room and increasing the seating capacity. This is perhaps the largest hall in Wooster today. All of these opera houses have from time to time been the merry scene of gay theatrical troupes.

The City Hall

The present City Building was erected in 1887 and is a massive, beautiful building. It has office rooms for the various city offices, in front, on the first floor; an engine house and upper story rooms for the use of the department, and the central portion of the first floor is an excellent opera house, which has all modern conveniences. This is leased out to local men of the city, who have charge of it. The building is an ideal, imposing structure, on East Liberty street, and great care is taken to make its front very attractive by the cultivation of rare and common flowers and plants, with vines covering almost the entire front in summertime. The cost of this municipal building was ninety thousand dollars, including ground and all furnishings.

Paving, Sidewalks, And Sewers

The city is well supplied with sidewalks, having, in 1909, twenty-three miles, the same being constructed of either cement, flag-stones or hard brick.

City Water Works

The first water works established in Wooster were constructed under a contract negotiated between the original proprietors of the town and the county commissioners, bearing date May 13, 1811. The conditions of the contract were that the county seat should be permanently located at Wooster. and among other specifications, it was agreed that the proprietors were to bring "water of the run, which at present runs through the town, in pipes of sound white oak timber of a proper size, well bored and laid, and raise the water ten feet above the surface of the center of the town."

The contract was complied with by the proprietors, and water was delivered to the town of Wooster, conducted through pipes, from 1815 to 1829. When the authorities of the town undertook to repair the pipes conveying the water one of the lot owners through whose premises the pipes were laid, prohibited them from so doing by an injunction of the court, and from that time no further attention or effort was made to sustain the enterprise.

Subsequently the subject of supplying the city with water from springs of Mr. Reddick to the north of the city became a matter of grave consideration. May 14, 1874, G. Gow and John Brinkerhoff, civil engineers, gauged the stream and found it sufficient to protect the city against fire. The work being inaugurated, the reservoir was constructed under the supervision of Mr. Gow, during the summer of 1875, by throwing a dam across the ravine immediately below the springs, thus raising the water to the depth of eighteen feet. No further labor was performed unfil the spring of 1876, when the works were commenced and conducted through the summer of 1876, under the immediate supervision of John Brinkerhoff, civil engineer.

In the construction of the system the pipes used amounted to 3,980 feet of twelve-inch piping, 4,988 feet of ten-inch pipe, 6,432 feet of eightinch pipe, 20,023 feet of six-inch pipe and 4,404 feet of four-inch pipe, in all 46,277 feet, or over eight miles.

The total cost of pipe and special castings was $36,390, the entire cost of the works being $76,256, and with later additions made it amount to $86,000. The surface of the water at the reservoirs is 128 feet above the public square. The water from eighty-eight fire plugs located on the line of the streets can be projected to various heights, ranging from forty to one hundred feet above the surface, by force of gravity alone. Gravity being the agent in the propulsion of the water, the expense of running it to the works was merely nominal. The supply of water is sufficient for all wants of the present city, and under improvements introduced by M. M. Smith, superintendent, during the summer of 1877, the water delivered in the city was as pure as spring water.

This system, with its additions and changes, served until, in 1907, the Applecreek pumping station was placed in operation, to the east of the city. Here two model gas engines pump the water from Applecreek. A brick pumping station is maintained there ; the entire bonded indebtedness for this improvement to the water-works was nine thousand dollars. This supplies a great abundance of water for all fire and city street purposes, but is not of good enough quality to be used by the people for cooking purposes. The city is at this date (summer of 1909) making an experimental well north of town, with the view of obtaining a good supply of pure water, which the city badly needs.

Wooster Gas Light Company

June 18, 1856, the village of Wooster passed an ordinance: ''To provide for gas in the incorporated village of Wooster." by which it provided that William Stephenson, of the city of Cleveland, and his associates, should use the streets, lanes, alleys and other public grounds of said village for the purpose of laying down and maintaining of their pipes for the conveyance of gas in and through the same for the use of the village and the inhabitants thereof. The ordinance granted the right for a period of ten years, and restricted the company to three dollars per thousand cubic feet for gas to citizens, and two dollars for city, except lamp posts, three dollars, whilst the company owns the posts and lights and extinguishes them.

June 20, 1856, J. H. Kauke, J. H. Baumgardner, Isaac N. Jones, D. Robison, Jr., H. R. Harrison, John P. Jeffries and C. C. Parsons. Sr., duly incorporated, under the laws of Ohio the W'ooster Gas Light Company, with a perpetual charter, and said company was duly organized January 14, 1857, by electing J. H. Kauke, Daniel Black, J. H. Baumgardner, I. N. Jones and J. P. Winebrenner directors, and by-laws were enacted for its government. The capital stock was twenty thousand dollars, divided into eight hundred shares of twenty-five dollars each. The gas works were erected in 1856 and 1857, and the village of Wooster was lighted with artificial gas in February, 1857, there being then one hundred and five consumers and twenty street lamps. In 1859 the capital stock was increased to twenty-three thousand seven hundred dollars. The demand for gas was so great that in 1864 the company pulled down the old arches or ovens and erected larger ones, and greatly increased the gas-producing capacity of the plant.

In 1867 the company extended the pipes and increased the capital to thirty thousand dollars. In 1871 the old works becoming entirely too small to supply the demand, the directors resolved to erect a new plant. They purchased the old oil well on East Henry street, from the heirs of William Henry, and four lots adjoining from E. Quinby. Jr., giving them a frontage on Henry street of three hundred and ten feet, on which they erected new gas works with all modern improvements then known and of sufficient capacity to supply a city of fifteen thousand population.

Electric Light Plant

The first ordinance looking toward the establishment of electric lights in the city of Wooster was dated March 5. 1886, and was granted to the Schuyler Electric Lighting Company of New York city. It has always been conducted by private corporations and in later days was reorganized, and recently a central heating' (hot water) plant was connected therewith. The stock is largely held abroad. The heating plant will furnish heat to residences and public buildings at the lowest possible cost to consumers, and guarantees to give any desired temperature in rooms, by use of an automatic device. The cost is little or no more than the ordinary methods of heating houses.

The city has the advantage of using either artificial gas, electricity, natural gas (which was first piped to the city from Knox county in 1905), or the less expensive methods employed by using gasoline or kerosene oil.

Wooster Postoffice

The first postoffice established in the county of Wayne was at the point where Wooster now stands. The date was December 8, 1812, when Thomas G. Jones was appointed postmaster. Just where the office was kept is not certain, but likely at the log residence of the postmaster, who was also the first Baptist minister and conducted a small general store. Following him came: John Patton, commissioned November 20, 1818; Ezra Dean, April

14, 1829; Bezaleel L. Crawford, March 26, 1841; Jacob M. Cooper, July 22, 1845; Thomas T. Eckert, April 26, 1849; George W. Allison, November 24, 1852 : Jacob A. Marchand, November 17, 1853 ' reappointed April 2, 1856; James Johnson, January 10, i860; Enos Foreman, April 17, 1861; re-appointed March 17, 1865; Reason B. Spink, November 13, 1866; Addison S. McClure, April 19, 1867: re-ajipointed March 28, 1871, and also March 10, 1875; P. C. Given was next postmaster and served until L. P. Oblinger was appointed and he in turn was succeeded by the following postmasters : Samuel Metzler, John E. Marchand, T. L. Flattery and the present postmaster, W. B. Bryson.

The first rural free delivery route was started out from this city A])ril i, 1899, imd it has been increased in number to eleven routes with a total mileage of two hundred and sixty-six miles. Wooster first had free delivery carriers in the city July i, 1887, and at this time has six city carriers. The number of mails received daily by mail trains is twelve.

Woo.Ster Board Of Trade

'I'l'icrc ha\c been \arious organizations for tbe dex'elopment and further commercial and industrial improvement of the city of Wooster, but that which took on the most important and tangible form was the Board of Trade, organized August 3, 1900, and which was duly incorporated under the laws of the state of Ohio December 14, 1908. This organization has been instrumental in obtaining several additions to the city's industries and is still energetic in working for more. It now enjoys a membership of almost three hundred representative citizens. Its 1909 officers are: President, Walter

It has committees appointed to look after the following matters : Public improvements, railroads and transportation, new enterprises and industries, finance and location of office, local mercantile interests, real estate and insurance, statistics and advertising, legislation, produce and grain, manufactures, membership, lumber and coal, taxation, streets and pavements.

Wooster Public Library

The early-day library was a small affair and was carried on by the efforts of a few of the more thoughtful and educated citizens who saw the need of such a place in the city. Soon after the beginning of this decade the matter of further increasing Wooster's library facilities was advocated, and as a result the old library association was re-organized as a city institution in fact, and a new board of officers elected. In 1905 the present beautiful brick library, on the corner of Ouinby and Bowman streets, was completed and first occupied. It cost, grounds and building, thirty thousand dollars, of which amount the philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie, donated fifteen thousand, with the provision that the city of Wooster was to annually raise the sum of one thousand five hundred to be used for maintenance of the same. It is a modern structure, having two stories, the upper one being used for museum purposes, and in which they are now already many rare specimens and articles of interest. The library also has in connection with it a fine reading room department. The present year's report shows the number of volumes in the library to be five thousand, to which are being made frequent additions. The board of trustees is: James iMullins, president; A. D. Metz, \'ice-president

Old Market-House Destroyed By A Mob

The first market-house Wooster had, and the last as well, was built in 1833 on the southwest side of the public square, under direction of the town council, of which Thomas Wilson was the president and J. H. Harris, recorder. The building was about forty by seuenty-five feet in dimension, one story high, paved with brick, with ceilings arched and plastered. It was supported by fourteen columns of brick-work about two feet square, t-welve feet high, firmly set on stone corners, eight to ten feet apart, between which the stalls were situated and each numbered.

It was not many years before the men doing business near the square declared this market a nuisance that ought to be abated : but the town authorities refused to remove it. As a result it narrowdy escaped "purification as by fire'' at the hands of an incendiary. Finally, on August 9, 1847, ^ number of men, disguised beyond recognition, went at night time and, assembling about the building, armed^with axes, hooks, ropes and tackle, and a horse strong in pulling qualities, they pulled down the offensive building, which at daylight lay a heap of smouldering embers. The destroyers w^ere termed a "mob" and excitement ran high for a time. The mayor offered a reward for the detection of the vandals who had profaned the "temple of mutton and soup bones," but wdthout resulting in anybody being arrested; yet many of the "culprits" w'ere well known, but praised for their public improvement spirit. Perhaps some are still honored residents of Wooster - at least a number were living a few years since. This was the first and last market-house Wooster has ever had.

Oak Hill Cemetery

The care which the living exercise over the "silent cities'' - the churchyards and cemeteries - is always an index of the refinement and Christian grace and sentiment of any given community. Prior to 1852 the dead of \\^ooster were buried in churchyards of the various denominations; also many from the near-by communities, and there today many of the first fathers and mothers of Wooster "sleep and heed it not."

July 12, 1852, a numl)er of A'ooster's citizens, prominent among whom were Levi Cox, John Larwill, Cyrus S])ink, E, (Juinhv, Jr., Constant Lake, R. B. Stibbs, K. Porter, James Johnson, Harvey Howard and others, agreed to form themselves into a cemetery association, to be known by tbe name of the Wooster Cemetery Association, and for that purpose signed and published a notice. In pursuance to the publication of the notice, and at the time named therein, a majority of the association met at the court house and there resohed to elect, lu' ballot from their number hve persons to serve as trustees and one as clerk of the association. The trustees chosen were Henry Lehman, James Johnson. Constant Lake, R. B. Stibbs and E. Quinby, Jr.

The original grounds consisted of thirty-two acres and a fractional part of an acre, purchased of Joseph H. Larwill, the price to be paid being one hundred dollars jDer acre. Five promissory notes were executed and the following persons agreed to assume their respective proportions of the notes the same as if they had lieen the original signers to them; Samuel Woods, John H. Harris, J. M. Robison, E. Avery, J. A. Anderson, E. Quinby, Jr., John McSweeney, Samuel L. Lorah, Thomas Stibbs, William Spear, William Henry, John P. Jeffries, J. N. Jones, J. S. Spink, J. H. Kaube, William Belnap, Benjamin Eason, Enos Foreman, E. Dean.

Superintendents were then appointed and the grounds surveyed and graded. November 13, 1853, it was ordered that a public sale of lots be had in the cemetery on the 25th of said month.

From 1852, when the original by-laws were adopted, there was but little change in the instrument with the passing years, but in 1904 there w^as a revision, but only on minor points.

The office of superintendent being in many ways of most importance of any of the officials, the list is given for the years since organization : Henry

Lehman, 1853-54; Lucas Flattery, for same term; James Jacobs, 1854-63; Lucas Flattery, 1863-77; Isaac Bechtel, 1877-93; John F. Barrett, 1893 to April, 1909. The first president of the association was Reasin B. Stibbs, ivho served from 1858 to 1875.

When the "old part of the ground" was purchased it was in its primeval woodland state and glory. Since that time additional purchases have been made, materially increasing the holdings ; many avenues, drives and allotments hai'e been laid out with artistic skill ; buildings have been erected in conformity to the requirements of the association ; public vaults have been constructed ; a complete water system established to provide all parts of the grounds with a good supply of water; much grading to bring in closer harmony the various sections of the cemeteiy, wdthout the least sacrifice of natural beauty and effect. In all there have been purchased ten different lots of land, making in all at this date eighty acres, which land has cost on an average of one hundred and ten dollars and thirty-seven cents per acre.

In the summer of 1874 a residence for the sexton was built, the original cost of which was two thousand eight hundred dollars. Later five hundred dollars was expended on the place. Stables, tool houses and other buildings have been added. In 1884 a public receiving vault was made at a cost of three thousand eight hundred and forty-five dollars. In 1895, after mature consideration, a complete water-works system was planned. A two-thousandbarrel reservoir was constructed on the eastern side of the pre.mises, and water pipes radiate therefrom throughout the cemetery. This cost one thousand five hundred dollars. In 1904 improvements were made, including the better heating facilities for the main house, near the entrance to the grounds and the erection of tool houses, etc., at a cost of one thousand dollars.

Among the many rules and regulations of the association, are these provisions: This organization is for mutual benefit; the purchaser of a lot becomes and is a member of the association; the trustees are elected by the lot owners and receive no compensation ; all monies received are expended on or for the grounds.

From 1853 to 1880 there were two thousand and thirty-one burials within this cemetery. Since 1880 the average number of burials here has been one hundred and sixteen, making (up to 1904) a total of five thousand two hundred and fifteen interments.

This beautiful cemetery is near the city to the southeast, and is one of the charming spots of this section. The landscape work of nature, together with the embellishments made by the various superintendents, makes this one of the most beautiful cemeteries in all this portion of northern Ohio.

In the northeast corner of this cemetery is to be seen a bronze fluted shaft, or column, about twenty-flve feet high, surmounted by a life-sized bronze volunteer infantryman, with knapsack and musket. The monument is situated on a very conspicuous part of the grounds. Its west face has the following inscription : "Presented by James Mullins to Given Post, No.

133, Grand Army of the Republic, of Department of Ohio." On the eastern face of the base is this: "To the Pleroes of Wayne County - 1895." On the south is the badge of the Grand Army of the Republic, while on the north side is a Lhiion shield. The column is planted as a pedestal on four huge base stones. By its side is an old cannon, mounted on caisson wbich saw service in one of the early wars, and the woodwork at present is rapidly going to decay.

three hundred and forty soldiers of the various American wars, the larger I^art of whom are from out the ranks of the Union soldiers of the great Civil war.

On the southwest corner of the public square stands a beautiful granite monument, with a drinking fountain attached. The whole is within a tasty iron enclosure, in which are placed two large sized Parrott guns (small cannon) with a pyramid of cannon-balls. In the center of the ground fenced in is a sixty-foot metal flag staff, made of tubing and painted white, from which on appropriate occasions is seen streaming to the breeze, "Old Glory."

On the north side of the base of the monument is this inscription : "Erected by Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Frick in honor of the Union soldiers of AVayne county and presented to the City of Wooster, May 5, 1892." Surmounting the monument is a life-sized statue of a United States volunteer soldier in the uniform of an infantryman.

The Metal Band-Stand

On the west side of the southern portion of the public square is a metal band-stand of rare beauty and it is surmounted with a flag-staff. The whole structure is made of iron and steel, even the canopied roof and the posts which support the main stand. It is octagonal in form and here of evenings, during the summer months, the AVooster Band discourses music to the edification of the throngs who there assemble.

The Wooster Brush Works

Perhaps the most important factory in the city of AVooster is the brush factory, established in 1851 by Adam Foss in a small room on the third floor of the building now occupied by Brandt's book store on the east side of the public square. The founder was succeeded by AA'^alter D. Foss, a son of Adam Foss, and George J- Swartz, in 1876, who carried on the business of brush-making in the two-story frame building at No. 35 South Market street. On the night of January 20, 1880, the plant was almost totally destroyed by the torch of an incendiary, but within a week the business had been re-opened in a frame building adjoining AVilhelm's carriage factory, now Clapper's block and bag factory. In the summer of 1880 it was removed to the three- story brick building on South Market street, and later an addition was found necessaiy. In July, 1904, the partnership of W. D. Foss and G. J. Swartz, after twenty-eight years' duration, was mutually dissolved, Mr. Swartz retiring and Walter D. Foss & Sons' Company continuing as the Wooster Brush Works. In February, 1907, W. D. Foss purchased the south half of the three-story building known as the Foss & Lee block, at No. 56 South Market street, and a portion of their plant was then moved there. In 1909 it was decided to have a whole new and complete factory and accordingly they now occupy the immense factory at the intersection of iMadison avenue and the Pennsylvania railroad property. The building is seventy by two hundred feet, with a heating and power plant attached. This building has three times more door space than both the old factories had. It is surmounted by a huge wooden tank holding twenty-five thousand gallons of water, for use in the factory and as a fire protection. Goods are received and shipped on a special spur of the railroad. The building was first occupied in August, 1909.

Almost every variety of brushes extant are here made. Their trade is almost world-wide and the quality of goods made is very superior. Scores of men and women find constant and profitable employment at these works. This in brief is the history of a business that has been in the hands of one family for over a half century.

Wooster Nursery Company

Among the industries of modern days in Wooster is the nursery of the Wooster Nursery Company, which was incorporated in June, 1906. with a capital of ten thousand dollars, with the following officers and directors : T.

E. Ewing, president and manager; Calvin Ery, vice-president; Stephen N. Green, secretary and treasurer. The directors are T. E. Ewing, Carey Eelty, W. J. Griffin and William King.

It should be stated, however, that this nursery had been established as a private concern by T. E. Ewing in 1902 and that it had developed into a good paying business by the date it was incorporated. The land now cultivated and owned by this company is near the Experimental Station, near Wooster, and consists of thirty-one acres. Besides this fertile tract, the company also leases land near the high school building. They carry on a general nursery business and sell their trees and numerous plants, both locally and throughout the entire country, employing agents, and do an extensive mail order business. They reach out to many sections of the United States by catalogs. In the ljusy season of the year many men find steady employment, besides many more agents.

In connection with their general nursery business, this company also operates a large line of greenhouses and a seed and plant house in Wooster occupying two floors and a basement of a business house near the public scpiare, one hundred and eighty feet in depth, in which they carry a full line of bulbs, plants and farm and garden seeds, sold in both wholesale and retail. This trade is carried to all parts of the globe, including Asia and far-away countries.

In the spring of 1908 this company purchased the J. B. Notestein nurseries at Jackson, a concern of more than a c^uarter of a century growth; also the following season bought the stock of the E. C. Green & Son nursery of Medina county, which added greatly to their business.

The benefits of the nearness to the Ohio Experimental Station can hardly be calculated, as their exhaustive and practical investigations and experiments enable the nursery to arrive at positive conclusions in regard to \'arieties liest suited to customers.

Around the first and all early mills of almost any county there ever rests a wonderful amount of true history, tragedy and interesting legend. This is true indeed with the old Stibbs mills, near the present site of Wooster. This flouring-mill is now known, as it has been many years, as the Naftzger or Empire mills. It dates its building from an even century ago, built as it was in 1809 by Joseph Stibbs, who emigrated from Pennsylvania in 1803 and from Columbiana county, Ohio, in the spring of 1813, having been here four years liefore and erected a small flouring-mill and a log cabin. After his return he took personal charge of the mill and soon it drew custom from far and near, as it was the only mill within Wayne county and a large radius around depended upon its mill-stones to grind out breadstuffs for many a family. It derives its power from a race, drawing water from Applecreek, the length of this mill-race being about a mile. In the history of the mill there have been three different races dug. The first two were just to the east of the present race and were not so deep. The present lace is sufficient to give speed to an eighteen-foot overshot waterwheel. The stage of water is fairly good most of the year, but at times it is too low, hence steam power was applied in connection with the water power a few years ago and now it is contemplated putting in a gas engine (possibly electric) and using the flocv of natural gas that is now piped to a point a few rods from the mill. The capacity of this pioneer mill ( that long years ago was converted into a rollerprocess mill) is forty-eight barrels per day. It is now the property of the Empire Milling Company, made up of local men, and is managed by Otto Riffle. It was purchased by J. R. Naftzger in 1866 from D. D. Miller and he bought the property from Jacob Kramer.

Could this old mill but talk, a wonderful history it might reveal of the early day toils and journeys made by pioneers from a long distance. It was here that occurred the powder explosion mentioned elsewhere in this volume, and in which accident one man was killed, including Indians. A carding-mill was added to the mill soon after its erection by Stibbs. James Miles, the first carder, paid six and a cjuarter cents for packages of wdld thorns with w'hich to pin up the rolls of wool when carded. Still later a woolen factory was built on the site of the carding mills, by the son, Thomas Stibbs. Still later a linseed oil mill was put in. This w^as, indeed, the busiest place for the whirl of spindle and hum of machinery in all this section.

Mr. Stibbs, the founder, died August 9, 1841, owner of one thousand two hundred acres of land on Apple creek, mostly in Wayne township. After his death and with the passing of several years, a distillery was built and operated at the same site, along the mill-race. The natural successor to this cvas the present brewery and artificial ice plant located near the mill property and which is among the paying plants of this section. At the old mill used to be carried on an extensive natural ice business. A large pond was made and the w'ater run from the race was allowed to freeze, thus producing a fine grade of ice, which was packed in two large ice houses near the pond.

Thus has been kept intact one of Wayne county's oldest landmarks. The waters of Apple creek have thus found their way to the far-awav ocean and back through cloud and rivulet to again turn the "old w^ater mill" for more than a hundred years. Four generations have been supplied with bread from the bolting chest of this mill, which has ke])t pace with modern flour-making improvements and today sends forth an excellent brand of family flour that finds a ready sale within Wayne county, where it is nearly all consumed.

Snowflake Flouring-Mills

fl'hese flouring-mills. on the corner of l»e\'cr and Fast Fibert\' streets, were established as the old-fashioned buhr-stone mills in tlie fifties. With the ])assing of the decades, and the improvement in the manufacture of flour.

the machinery v. as gradually changed to meet the requirements of the times and in 1879 they were the property of Plank Brothers, who continued until it became known as Plank & Gray's mills. In April, 1909, it changed to Gray & Smith, the present owners, Charles M. Gray and A. G. Smith. These modern process-roller mills have a daily capacity of one hundred and thirtyfive barrels, which is all sold within one hundred miles of Wooster. The sales of "Snowflake" run about six thousand fifty-pound sacks per week. The steam power was superseded in 1907 by natural gas engines as a propelling power. These mills have the best local trade of any mills in northern Ohio.

Other Industries

The printing art and industry is well represented at Wooster. The two daily newspapers both do an excellent job printing business, besides the Collier Printing Company, on Bever and North streets, and the George A. Clapper printing establishment, on East Liberty street. The latter was founded in 1879 as a straight printery, but in about 1898 added another department, that of manufacturing and printing salt pockets or bags, the whole of which monthly output is sold in advance to the Wadsworth Salt Company, of Wadsworth, Ohio. This has come to be a very extensive business.

Wooster Artificial Ice and Brewing Company; Wooster Brick and Shale Works; the Gerstenslager Carriage and Wagon Company; Dishwasher factory; Wooster Preserving Company; overall factory and numerous other lesser industries are all found doing an extensive business in their special lines at this date.

From the first settlement of Wooster, the chief industries up to about 1840 were the numerous tanneries and distilleries located in and near to the town. Liquor then had no internal revenue upon it and was sold at low figures - as low as seventeen cents per gallon. Tanning skins and hides was almost indispensable, for leather had to be made, as transportation was high and markets far away. These tanneries have long since gone out of business and leather is made under the "trust" system largely, in the great leather centers of the country, as well as the shoes and harness made from it.

Blockhouse." Suddenly she surprised the community by announcing that she had concluded to doff her mourning and take to herself another husband in the person of an old fellow who had neither money nor home. This was "fun for the boys" of that period, and they made Widow Blockhouse's marriage an extra occasion, which event must here pass into the history of Wooster and Wayne county. All the jovial spirits of the settlement were present on the evening of the wedding. It was a lively occasion. Squire McClarran, an inveterate joker, performed the ceremony with the greatest solemnity. In the beginning, after a few remarks on matrimony in general and this case in particular, he asked if there was any one present who had objections to this lovely couple "renewing their hearts" in marriage, whereupon a gentleman impressively arose and in a most complimentary manner withdrew all of his claims upon the affections of the bride. Then another arose, and another, until all had made remarks and given his consent to the marriage, it being very evident from their words that they all felt they had a sort of personal claim upon the affianced charming ( ?) widow, but felt forced to give way to a more favored suitor. The ceremony concluded, the Squire ordered every man in the room to kiss the bride. This was complied with by all until it came to the last man, who resided in Wooster many long years after that laughable event, and who emphatically refused, saying, "I will be d d if that is not asking too much!"

The attention of the reader of this volume is respectfully called to the two biographical sketches of the founders of Wooster, John Bever and William Henry, which occur in the biographical part of this work. That of Mr. Larwill is not in the possession of the historian, as he failed to supply the proper material in his lifetime.

Banks Of Wooster

With the settlement of e\-ery new country, the matter of hanks has always been of much importance to the citizens. While they at first had but little money to deposit, if indeed any, yet at times the bank was a necessary adjunct to the settlement and development of the country. Here in Wayne county at first all kinds of commodities went current for money. Barter was the currency of the times - pelts, skins, furs, grain, produce, and even whisky was as good to the settler who chanced to pos.sess it as money is today.

The first banking house of the county was established in i8i6 and known as the German Bank of Wooster. T. J. Jones was its president and W. Larwill cashier. For a time it operated without a charter and its existence was of short duration.

In 1834 the Bank of Wooster was established, 'with J. S. Lake as president and Benjamin Bentley as cashier. This bank suspended in the month of March, 1848.

The Wayne County Branch of the State Bank of Ohio was organized in February, 1848. D. Robison, Sr., was president until January, 1858, and Isaac Steese from 1858 until the expiration of its charter in 1865, E. Quinby, fr., lieing cashier from its organization until its close in 1865.

The Wayne County National Bank was organized in January, 1865, with R. R. Donnelly, president, and E. Quinby, Jr., cashier. In January, 1874, Harrison Armstrong was made president and held the position until his death, in 1876; E. Quinby, Jr., serving as cashier. The original capita] was seventy-five thousand dollars, with the option of enlarging to two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. At present this banking house is among the solid institutions of Wayne county and operates under a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars. It occupies a massive brick bank building on the west side of the public square, the same having been erected in 1905. The present officers of this bank are: J. S. R. Overholt, president;

Frank Taggart, vice-president: John M. Criley, cashier. Its deposits are four hundred thousand dollars. The new bank building stands on the old site of the bank as originally organized in 1848, and includes twenty feet front, purchased when the new structure was built, making the banking rooms spacious and up-to-date in every particular.

The Exchange Bank began business in April, 1854, under the style of Sturges, Stibbs & Company, as a private banking house, and in 1863 it was changed to Stibbs, Hanna & Company. Later it was changed to J. H. Kauke & C. S. Frost. This bank is not now in business.

The National Bank of AVooster was brouglit into existence as follows: The private banking company of Bonewitz, Emrich & Company was organized in the spring of 1865, by S. R. Bonewitz, T. S. Johnson, M. W. Pinkerton, G. P. Emrich, John Bechtel and C. H. Brown, with a cash capital of twenty-five thousand dollars. In April, 1865, it opened its doors for banking business and operated successfully until 1868, when it was reorganized as the Commercial Bank of Wooster, with a capital of seventy-five thousand dollars. Its officers then were: President, T. S. Johnson: cashier, S. R. Bonewitz:

D. Robison, Jr., M. W. Pinkerton. Mr. Johnson resigned April lo, 1868, and Mr. Emrich was chosen, and continued president until the bank ceased to exist. July 22, 1869, Mr. Bonewitz, cashier, resigned and C. V. Hard was appointed assistant cashier, retaining' such position during the life of the institution. In November, 1871, the shareholders of the Commercial Bank were granted a charter for the National Bank of Wooster with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars. Novemlier 29th the books were opened for subscriptions, and the same day the amount of capital stock was taken. G. P. Emrich, D. Robison, Jr., M. Welker, J. Zimmerman, G. B. Smith, J. S. Hollowell and W. Barton were chosen directors, to serve until January 2, 1872, the day the bank began business. The officers were : President, David Robison, Jr.; vice-president, G. P. Emrich; cashier, C. V. Hard; teller. Will Emrich, a position vacated in 1876 by T. E. Peckinpaugh, to become one of the proprietors of the Wayne County Democrat.

In the panicky days of finance in 1904, and because of suspicious actions on the part of some of the bank's officials, the government sent an inspector on from Washington, examined the accounts, appointed a receiver and finally closed up this banking house permanently. The president and cashier, who were also interested in a large drug store in Wooster, and which had much to do with the closing of the bank, were finally tried and sentenced to several years in the penitentiary of Ohio. One is still in that institution. The stockholders made good the loss of money to the depositors, which act ruined some of the stockholders financially. Had the bank inspector waited a reasonable length of time, it is believed that the matter might have been adjusted and the bank's doors not closed for all time. But the majesty of the law must be upheld, and some one had to be the loser. The bank was closed for business November 23, 1904.

An Earlier Bank Failure

"September 2, 1868," says Ben Douglas in his 1878 history of Wayne county, "T. S. Johnson started a bank, too, which the same was of discount

Building And Loan Companies

Besides these regular l)anking liouses, Wooster today has the benefit of the following building and loan institutions, all doing an excellent business. The Wayne Building and Loan Companv, C. E. Thorne, president; J. G.

Sanborn, cashier. It has assets amounting to six hundred and eighty thousand, three hundred and forty-three dollars. It was organized July i, 1909.

3\'ooster Building and Loan Company, incorporated in 1892; the assets are four hundred and forty-two thousand, seven hundred and forty-six dollars; president, Charles M. Gray; J. W. Hooke, secretary.

The Home Building and Loan Company u'as incorporated September I, 1905, with an authorized capital of one hundred thousand dollars; officers, David W. Musselman, president; William M. Linn, vice-president; Weston T. Peckinpaugh, secretary and treasurer. The assets, on June 30, 1908, were one hundred and thirty-three thousand, nine hundred and forty-se^'en dollars.

Wayne County National Bank, following the old Wooster branch of the State Bank of Ohio. It has a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, udth deposits of four hundred thousand dollars. This hank has been mentioned at length heretofore.

The Citizens' National Bank, organized in 1905, has one hundred thousand dollars capital and its officers are as follows: L. E. Yocum, president;

Charles M. Gray, vice-president ; E. M. Thompson, cashier. Cash capital, one hundred thomsand dollars ; deposits, six hundred and forty thousand dollars.

Commercial Bank, organized in 1896. Present officers, Albert Shupe, president; W. R. Barnhart, vice-president; E. P. Shupe. cashier; cash capital, fiftv thousand dollars.

Public Schools Of Wooster

The first school house was a brick building erected where afterward stood the third ward building. The first school was taught by a young sprig of a lawyer, Carlos Mather, from New Haven. Connecticut, in 1814. In 1853 and 1854 each of the wards of the city built a school house of its own, and for a few' years thereafter each had a school independent of the others. Then they were finally put under one management, with John Brinkerhofif as their general superintendent, a position he held until 1870.

the citizens taxed themselves to erect the best school house in northern Ohio. This was completed in 1870 and, with its grounds and furnishings, cost one hundred and thirteen thousand dollars. This is a part of the present high school building, to which, in 1909, was added a large section, all being complete and modern in its appointments. For many years it has stood out as the most attractive building in Wooster. Its architectural beauty has been the comment of thousands of strangers who from year to year have visited the city. It stands on the northwest corner of Market and Bowman streets. Within this structure is now held the high school of Wooster. A library of three hundred volumes, a geological cabinet, chemical apparatus, etc,, were placed in the building as early as 1876, In 1874 vocal music was introduced into the schools as a regular branch of study in all the grades. In 1877 drawing was introduced and a special teacher employed for this study. The superintendent has for many years held monthly meetings of all his instructors. By state school reports it is learned that in 1877 the Wooster schools were among the best in Ohio. A large number have always sought this city from remote parts of the county for the purpose of obtaining a higher education than it was possible to gain at home.

The ward school buildings above referred to served well the purpose for which they were erected until the city had outgrown them. In 1891 what is known as Pittsburg Avenue building was erected, a two-story, hvoroom building, still in use. Bealle Avenue building was erected in 1901 at a cost of twenty-seven thousand dollars. It is a fine modern two-story brick building, containing six rooms. South Walnut Street building was erected in 1902, at a cost of thirty-one thousand dollars. It contains eight rooms and is thoroughly modern in all its appointments. The annex to the high school building was erected in 1908-09 at a cost of more than forty thousand dollars. It, together with the original building erected in 1868-70, is now styled Central High School building and is an imposing structure.

J. E. Fitzgerald became superintendent of the city schools in the autumn of 1909. At that date the number of teachers in the various city schools was thirty-three. Of this number, ten were emjiloyed in the high school. The total numher of jiuiiils enrolled in Wooster schools in 1909 was nineteen hundred and sixty-six.

Eighth Of January Celebrations Jacksonian

Since early in the fifties, Wooster has always had a very interestingcelebration in the way of observing the anniversary of the battle of New Orleans and the great achievements of Gen. Andrew Jackson and his gallant army. It has come to be a "fixed institution" in Wooster. It is annually observed as a grand jubilee day, and to it men of state and national renown come each year to share in the interesting program. Usually members of Congress are im'ited and come and deliver eloquent and historic speeches to a large assemblage. Bancjuets are served and the rising young are fired with the true spirit of patriotism and love of country and a higher respect is inculcated into them, by the observance, with the return of each January 8th, of this anniversary.

On August II, 12, 13, 14 and 15, 1896, at Wooster occurred the one hundredth anniversary of the forming of* Wayne county by order of the then goi'ernor of the Northwest Territory, Gen. Arthur St. Clair, who had the honor of establishing original Wayne county, the date of its establishment being .\ugust 15, 1796. Indeed it would fill a good sized volume to detail all there was of interest at that celebration - Wayne county's centennial. But the following description must suffice in this connection :

On the Tith day of August, 1896, commenced a series of brilliant exercises, which culminated on the great clay of the real anniversary, August 15th. The decorations throughout the city were never half so brilliant and bewitching. The public square was truly a mass of bunting. The court house, from to'wer to base, was literally clothed in rich festoons and flags. North Market street had an entrance archway with the figures, "1796," bold and sightly; over South Market street "1896" appeared conspicuous; over AVest Lil^erty street, at the court house, hung a beautiful portrait of General Wooster, and over East Liberty street was to be seen that of Gen. Anthony Wayne. These pictures were executed and presented to the committee by M. S. Nachtrieb. In the center of the square there stood a whitecanopied grand stand; just to the north was a real log cabin, built by a pioneer of ninety-eight years before. Its interior and exterior were furnished with primitive furniture of pioneer days, not forgetting the coon skin at the door and the draw-well. The decorations by the merchants on the public square were lavish and gay. The program of the centennial was as follows.

in brief: Inaugural clay, Tuesday, August nth; Educational day, Wednesday, August 1 2th; Soldiers' day, Thursday, August 13th; Church day, Friday, August 14th; Pioneer day, Saturday, August 15th. The last day surpassed all; the procession was the longest ever seen within Wayne county, being two miles long. All the arts and sciences and business industries of Wooster made it at once a complete, impressive and instructive scene. Music and bands from far and near enlivened the day. Ten thousand people participated in the march. At the southwest corner of the scjuare a speaker's stand had been provided, and from it many eloquent and witty speeches were made.

Of educational day it may be stated that the exercises were held at the opera house and later bicycle races were in order. In the evening, at the opera house was "Woman's Evening,'' presided over by Mrs. Ben Douglas and prayer was offered up by Mrs. Kirkwood.

Soldiers' day was observed at the park. Captain Eybarger hrst spoke, and was followed by Hon. John Sherman, who delivered a masterly address in which he brought out the point plainly that the Indian was rightfully driven from this fair section in order to make room for a better type of civilization.

Church and Sunday school day found twenty-hve thousand people in W'ooster; eight thousand were at the tents at the park at opening time. Later fifteen thousand were on the grounds. Rev. W. O. Thompson, president of the Miami University, spoke, as did Rev. George W. Peppard, and Rev. T. K. Davis spoke at the Lutheran church.

Pioneer day, day of all days, under the charge of the Pioneer Picnic Association, was a great gathering - a genuine love feast of pioneers and the younger generations. Judge L. R. Critchfield made a masterly oration, which was printed in full. It was replete with all that was noble, good and inspiring, and was a valuable historic contribution, being reprinted elsewhere in this work.

Days Of Mourning In Wooster

In April, 1865, upon the death of President Lincoln, Wooster was in sorrow, in common with all the country. The body of the martvred President was viewed by many from Wooster as the train stopped at Cleveland, en route to Illinois. The news of his death was received at 1 1 o'clock the day of his death and immediately the stores and business houses were closed, bells tolled mournfully, the people assembled in groups and every one seemed surrounded by a deep gloom. The town was filled with people from outside, and all bore evidence of deep grief. On the following Sabbath people greeted one another in subdued tones, and tears coursed down many a strong man's cheeks. The churches all observed the day in sorrow and held appropriate memorial services, alluding especially to the great Emancipator in the sermons that were delivered.

In i88i, when President Garfield was stricken down, the people again put on mourning in Wayne county. Then, at the death of President William McKinley, the heart strings of all were almost snapped asunder. Regardless of political lines, all were his friends, and at this time became his mourners in fact. The city of Wooster was for the third time within twenty-six years draped in deep mourning for the assassination of a President - all three noble specimens of American manhood. A committee was appointed from the Wayne county bar and appropriate resolutions were spread on the records, Mr. McKinley having at one time bfeen a member of the bar in this county. Memorial services were held in the Methodist Episcopal and Lutheran churches. President S. F. Scovel, of the University of Wooster, spoke to a large audience at the Lutheran church on "McKinley as a Statesman.'' "Lead Kindly Light" (the President's favorite hymn) was tenderly sung at the services. The church was appropriately draped and had a setting of palms.

At the Methodist Episcopal church flowers and drapings of black and royal purple adorned the ceilings and walls. Rev. Neikirk read from the Scriptures and Judge L. R. Critchfield delivered the address on behalf of the bar of Wayne county. It need not be added that it was a gem of oratory. Judge Taggart also spoke for the citizens of Wooster. The last address was by President Elolden, of the University of Wooster.