Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 28

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Ohio > Summit County > Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens > Part 28

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At the present time the Library is in Buch- tel Hall and embraces about 9,000 bound volumes of standard works (exclusive of pub- lic documents). These books have been mostly selected with special reference to their use in connection with the various depart- ments of college instruction. All are classi- fied and arranged on the shelves by the Dewey system of classification. The whole Library is practically one of reference, as students have access to the shelves at all hours of the day. Books may also be drawn by students, professors and officers, in accordance with the regulations, for use outside the Library.

Since the fire of 1899 the Library has been reclassified and recatalogued and put in the best working order for students.

In connection with the College Library is the College Reading Room, which has upon its files the leading periodicals and newspa- pers of the day. These are selected, upon recomendation of the various professors, with special reference to supplementing their class- room instruction.

A trained librarian of experience has charge of the library to render it of the greatest use- fulness to the students.

ATHLETICS.

Recognizing the fact that physical training is as legitimate a part of any system of edu- cation as is the mental, Buchtel College has made ample provision for this course in edu- cation, in her large and well equipped Gym- nasium and Athletic Field. Systematic in- struction is given to both young men and wamen in the Gymnasium each year by train- ed instructors, and the young men are given systematic training and regular drill in track athletics. Publie sports such as foot-ball, base ball, basket ball, and lawn tennis are per- mitted and encouraged so far as is consistent with the student's health and with his prog- ress in the class-room.

ORATORICAL ASSOCIATION.

The students of Buchtel College maintain an Oratorical Association to which all college students are eligible. The object of the socie- ty is to secure an increased interest in public speaking, with special reference to the pres- entation of original productions. The local association is a branch of the State Associa- tion, which includes a number of the leading colleges of the State. Each year a local con- test is held by the association, the winner of which is sent by the association to the State contest. The successful contestant in the State contest represents the State in the inter- State contest.

LITERARY AND DEBATING CLUB.

A Literary and Debating Club is organized among the students. Regular meetings are held for the discussion and debating of topics of interest. Often public debates are held with the neighboring societies and colleges.

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HISTORY OF SUMMIT COUNTY

DRAMATIC CLUB.

A Dramatic Organization is maintained by the students for mutual self-culture, and for the study of literature and the histrionic art. One or more public entertainments are given each year with credit to the club and the College.

All such literary organizations and efforts are approved and encouraged by the College.

CO-EDUCATION.

The College and Academy admit students of both sexes. No sex diserimination is made in requirements, and equal educational ad- vantages and honors are offered to each.

MASTER'S DEGREES.

The degree of A. M. will be conferred up- on those who have acquired the degree of A. B. or Ph. B., and the degree of M. S. upon those who have acquired the degree of B. S. These degrees will be granted in not less than two years after graduation, unless the appli- eant, in residence, can devote the larger part of his time to his work, when the degrees may be granted in one year.

PRIZE FUNDS.

Alumni Prizes .- A fund has been estab- lished by the alumni of the College, the in- come of which is annually appropriated ae- eording to the following regulations :

1st. That student being a member of the Senior Class of the academy-who makes the highest average grade during the year in full Senior work in the Academy, and com- pletes his Senior year without conditions, shall be entitled to free tuition during the snc- ceeding year.

2nd. That student-being a member of the Freshman Class- who attains the high- est average grade during the year in the regu- lar freshman work and completes the year without any conditions, shall be entitled to free tuition during the succeeding year.

3rd. That student-being a member of the Sophomore Class-who attains the high- est average grade during the year in not few- er than thirty-two term hours above the fresh- man year, and completes this year without conditions, shall be entitled to free tuition during the succeeding year.

4th. That student-being a member of the Junior Class-who attains the highest average grade during the year in not fewer than thirty-two term hours above the fresh- man year, and completes this year without conditions, shall be entitled to free tuition during the sneeeeding year.

5th. In determining the award of prizes for any year, there shall be considered only grades made in regular class work at Buehtel College during that year in subjects com- pleted before Commencement day.

6th. In ease of a tie in any class the prize shall be equally divided.

7th. The prize for any class shall go to the student attaining the second highest average grade only in ease the one ranking highest does not return to Buchtel College the next succeeding year.

Oliver C. Ashton Prizes .- A fund consist- ing of $3.000 has been established by the late Oliver C. Ashton, endowing the O. C. Ashton Prizes for excellence in reading and recitation.

The annual ineome of this fund will be paid, one-third to competitors from the Senior Class, one-third to competitors from the Jun- ior Class, and one-third to competitors from the Sophomore Class, in a first and second prize to each class, in the proportion of two to one.

These are public exereises, and will take place at stated times during the year.

Pendleton Law Prizes .- For the purpose of encouraging the study of Law and Civil Government, a fund of $1,000 has been es- tablished by Joy H. Pendleton, late of AAkron, the annual income of which is used as prizes for essays in the Law Class. Two-thirds of such ineome is annually to be paid for the best essay. and one-third for the second best essay, on some subjeet of Law or Government announeed by the Instructor in Law.

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High Schools .- The College offers annual- ly one scholarship to each of several high schools, to be awarded to the student standing highest during the last year of his High School course. Each scholarship entitles the holder to two years' free tuition in College, subject to conditions which may be learned on application to the President of Buchtel College.

Township .- Two standing scholarships in the Academy are offered to pupils in each Township of Summit County who complete the common school course in the country schools. These scholarships are awarded to the two pupils in each township passing the best examination before the County Board of School Examiners, under the provisions of the Patterson Law.

Students winning the High School or Township Scholarships must begin their course of study not later than one year from the opening of the following school year.

RESULT.

The College has just closed the thirty-fifth year of substantial educational work. It has been ably officered and has had a well quali- fied faculty, one that will compare favorably with that of any similar institution in our country. It has had generous support and liberal patronage, and has made history of which its friends are not ashamed. This has required earnest work and large sacrifice. The founders were men and women of large hearts, who planned for the best good of humanity. Cheerfully and freely did they give time and money for the erection of buildings and the endowment of the institution, and if their de- scendants truly honor the founders, the Col- lege will increase in strength and usefulness as the years go by. It surely has a bright out- look.

WHAT HAS THE COLLEGE DONE FOR AKRON AND SUMMIT COUNTY.

It is impossible to fully answer this very appropriate and important question. Some facts may more than suggest the true answer.

It has brought into the City approximately one million dollars for building purposes, en- dowment funds and current expenses. Each year students expend thousands of dollars for board, clothing and other items.

It has increased the value of real estate, especially in its vicinity, and it has advertised the city, its various industries and enterprises as nothing else could have done. Young men and women who have spent several years in the institution will not soon cease to sound the praise of the city that gave them generous hospitality.

While the College was established by the Ohio Universalist Convention, and a very large share of the building fund and endow- ment has been donated by members of the Universalist Church, yet it is not, strictly speaking, denominational. It is religious but not sectarian. It tolerates and respects all re- ligious opinions and organizations and asks no questions of students concerning their the- ology.

It seeks to occupy a high moral plane and aims to inspire in students exalted ideals of character and life.

Its educational standard is equal to that of any college in Ohio. Graduates are welcomed to Harvard, Yale, and all American Univer- sities on the diplomas received at Buchtel. More than this, students who spend one or more years at Buchtel are everywhere credit- ed, without examination, with all the marks that have been received. Its standing is un- questioned. With its record its friends have abundant reason to be satisfied.

Possessing buildings well adapted for the purpose designed, well equipped for teaching Science, Art, Literature, etc., with a faculty composed of able, scholarly men and women. the College has furnished the opportunity for hundreds of young men and women to obtain a liberal education at home at a comparative- ly trifling expense. By bringing into the city a considerable number of gifted men and women it has helped to elevate the intellectual and mora ltone of the citizens. It is now . known not only as an enterprising commer- cial town, but as an educational center, that

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challenges the attention of people of char- acter and influence. Summit County has abundant reason for being grateful to those who earnestly and successfully labored to se- cure the institution in its County Seat. While it has a wide field and draws patronage from several states, yet it peculiarly belongs to

Akron, and in its perpetuity and prosperity citizens should take a just pride and extend generous help. As a beacon light to Akron, Summit County, and humanity, it challenges the respect and confidence of the world and truly merits the generous support of a large constituency.

CHAPTER XIII

RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT

First Churches and Pioneer Clergy-General History of Religious Organizations -- Churches and Clergy of To-day.

Akron has sixty-two churches within its corporation limits. This demonstrates that the city is not wholly given to manufacturing, leisure and society. Akron is a typical Ameri- can city and believes that all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Therefore, its citizens are provided with large and modern theaters and a beautiful music hall. A strong religious influence also permeates Akron's life. The same desire for culture which has brought such great success in educational lines, has manifested itself in the various re- ligious societies of the city. There has been a sound and healthy rivalry among them to provide splendid meeting places for worship for their various congregations. As a result Akron today enjoys superior advantages for the church-goer.

The oldest church organization in Akron today is the First Presbyterian Church. It was organized December 15, 1831, by Rev. B. C. Baldwin and Rev. John Hughes with twenty- six members. They occupied the old brick church on Kent Street for any years, un- til 1906, when they completed the beautiful modern church building on East Market Street near Buchtel Avenue.

In 1834 the Congregational Church was organized by J. W. Pettit. In 1885 a small frame church was built where the Court House stands now. Rev. James B. Walker was its first permanent pastor. In June, 1843. the society built a large church on the corner of North Main and Federal Streets. During the pastorate of Rev. Carlos Smith, the brick church on South High Street was built. The

society has now, in the year 1907, purchased a site on the corner of East Market and Union Streets, and will build a fine church at that point during the next year. Rev. Thomas E. Monroe became pastor of this church April 1, 1873, and continued as its active pas- tor until 1901. He is now Pastor Emeritus.

In 1830 a Methodist congregation was or- ganized by Rev. John Janes, and meetings were held in the school house at the corner of South Broadway and Buchtel Avenue. In 1836 a church was built at the corner of South Broadway and Church Streets. In 1871 the fine brick church at the corner of South Broadway and Church Streets was com- pleted. The Sunday-school rooms were plan- ned by Lewis Miller and gave rise to the "Akron Plan" of arranging Sunday-school rooms.

On October 19, 1834, a Baptist congrega- tion was organized in the school house, on the corner of South Broadway and Buchtel Ave- nue. The moderator of the meeting was Ca- leb Green. Amasa Clark acted as scribe.

The Universalist was one of the early re- ligious organizations in Akron. and held meetings here as early as 1835. In 1837 Rev. Freeman Loring organized a church, and meetings were held at the corner of Main and State Streets. A church was built on North High Street a few years later. It was built of stone and was one of the finest struc- tures in the State at that time.

In 1836 a parish of the Episcopal Church was organized in Akron by Rev. W. H. New- man of Cuyahoga Falls. In 1844 a church

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building was built on South High Streets. In 1884 the parish built the fine stone church on East Market and Forge Street.

The Disciples congregation was organized in 1839, although meetings had been held as early as 1830. The society was organized by Elders Bently and Bosworth.

In 1842 the German Evangelical Protes- tant Congregation was organized. It is the parent of the German Lutheran Church and the German Reformed.

The Grace Reformed society was organized in 1853 by Rev. N. Gher.

The German Lutheran society was formed in August, 1854, by Rev. P. J. Buehl. Its church on the corner of South High and Quarry Streets was crected in 1837.

Trinity Lutheran Church was organized in 1870, and its fine church on Prospect Street was erected in 1872. In October, 1882, the Rev. Excell organized the United Brethren Church on the corner of High and James Streets.

As early as 1835 services of the Roman Catholic Church were held in Akron, various priests coming from neighboring parishes for that purpose. In 1843 a church was built on Green Street. On March 17, 1864, the present stone church on the corner of West Market and Maple Streets was begun. Rev. M. A. Scanlon was pastor of St. Vineent de Paul's Church from June, 1859, to December, 1873. Rev. T. F. Mahar became pastor Au- gust 1, 1880, and has continued until the present time. St. Mary's congregation was established in 1887, and a church was erected on South Main Street, opposite McCoy Street. In 1861 St. Bernard's Catholic Church was organized. The first pastor was Rev. Father Loure. In 1866 Rev. John B. Broun took charge of the church, and he has continued as its pastor until the present time. In 1903 a magnificent Church on South Broadway and Center --- the finest in the city-was com- pleted.

In 1865 the Akron Hebrew congregation was organized, and services were held in the first story of the Allen's bloek on South How- ard Street. They were afterwards held in the

first story of the Barber Block. In 1885 the congregation purchased the Episcopal church on South Iligh Street and has occupied it since as a temple of worship.

These were the parent congregations of the eity. As the city grew rapidly in all direc- tions, and some of the city congregations were located in many cases two or four miles from the city churches, various branches were es- tablished.

The following is a complete list of all the city churches, with their respective pastors, and their location, at the present time:

First Baptist, 37 South Broadway; Rev. A. M. Bailey, pastor.

Second Baptist, corner Hill and James; Rev. R. A. Jones, pastor.

Maple St. Baptist, South Maple near Ex- change; Rev. J. C. Swan, pastor.

Arlington St. Baptist, South Arlington; Rev. J. M. Huston, pastor.

German Baptist, West Thornton, corner of Haynes.

First Congregational, South High, near Market; Rev. H. S. MacAyeal.

West Congregational, corner West Market and Balch; Rev. P. E. Bauer.

Welsh Congregational, McCoy Street.

First Church of Christ, South High; Rev. George Darsie, pastor.

Broad Street Church, Broad near Market; Rev. I. H. Durfee, pastor.

Third Church of Christ. eorner Wabash and Euelid Avenue: Rev. A. F. Stahl.

Fourth Church of Christ, Steiner Avenue; Rev. C. A. MacDonald, pastor.

St. Paul's Church, E. Market corner Forge ; Rev. S. North Watson, D. D., rector.

Church of Our Saviour, corner Crosby and Oakdale Avenue: Rev. Geo. P. Atwater, reetor.

St. Andrew's Mission, West Tallmadge Avenue, near Cuyahoga.

Calvary Church, corner Bartges and Co- burn : Rev. W. L. Naumann, pastor.

Kenmore Church, Kenmore; Rev. E. S. Flora, pastor.

First U. E. Church, corner Wooster Avenue and Locust; Rev. H. W. Epsy.

BAPTIST CHURCHI, AKRON

FIRST M. E. CHURCHI, AKRON

FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCHI, AKRON

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CIIURCII, AKRON

HIGHI STREET SYNAGOGUE, AKRON

GRACE REFORMED CHURCH, AKRON

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Akron Hebrew Reformed Congregation, South High near Mill; I. E. Philo, rabbi.

Sons of Peace Congregation, 235 Bowery ; E. W. Lutz, rabbi.

Hebrew Congregation meets at 706 Edge- wood Avenue.

Trinity Lutheran, South Prospect near Mill; Rev. E. W. Simon, pastor.

German Lutheran, South High, corner Quarry; Rev. W. H. Lothmann, pastor.

St. John's Lutheran Church, Coburn near Voris; Rev. E. C. Billing, pastor.

St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, West Thorn; Rev. J. H. Zinn, pastor.

Grant Street Evangelical Lutheran Church, East Thornton near Grant; Rev. J. Franklin Yount, pastor.

Swedish Evangelical Lutheran Church, Kent near Market; Rev. G. S. Ohslund, pas- tor.

First M. E. Church, South Broadway cor- ner Church, Rev. Frank W. Luce, D. D., pastor.

Grace M. E. Church, East Market near Car- roll ; Rev. A. R. Custer, pastor.

North Hill M. E. Church, North Howard corner Tallmadge Avenue; Rev. J. O. David- son, pastor.

Woodland M. E. Church, South Main south of Thornton; Rev. E. T. Mohn, pastor.

Main Street M. E. Church, Corner Balch and Crosby; Rev. F. C. Anderson, pastor.

Arlington Street M. E. Church, North Ar- lington near North ; Rev. B. P. White, pastor.

Wooster Avenue M. E. Church, Wooster Avenue corner Raymond; Rev. B. P. White, pastor.

German M. E. Church, corner Exchange and Pearl; Rev. D. J. Harrer, pastor.

Zion A. M. E. Church, South High, near Cedar; Rev. E. C. West, pastor.

Free Methodist, 1044 Yale; Rev. J. E. Wil- liams, pastor.

Wesleyan Methodist, 729 Princeton; Rev. I. F. MeLeister, pastor.

First Presbyterian, 647 East Market: Rev. H. W. Lowry, pastor.

Central Presbyterian, East State near Main.

First United Presbyterian, services in G. A. R. Hall; Rev. W. A. Chambers.

Grace Reformed, South Broadway near Mill; Rev. Irvin W. Hendricks, pastor.

German Reformed, South Broadway cor- ner Center; Rev. Edward Stuebi, pastor.

Trinity Reformed. South Broadway cor- ner York; Rev. J. S. Freeman, pastor.

Wooster Avenue Reformed, Wooster Ave- nue, corner Bell; Rev. E. R. Willard, pas- tor.

Miller Avenue Reformed, 81 West Miller Avenue; Rev. S. E. Snepp, pastor.

Goss Memorial Reformed Church, Ken- more.

St. Bernard's Church, South Broadway corner Center; Rev. J. B. Broun, pastor.

St. Vincent de Paul's Church, West Mar- ket corner Maple; Rev. T. F. Mahar, pastor.

St. Mary's Church, South Main opposite McCoy ; Rev. J. J. Farrell, pastor.

First U. B., East Center near Buchtel Ave- nue; Rev. William Clarke, pastor.

Howe Street U. B., Corner Howe and Na- than: Rev. O. W. Slusser, pastor.

First Universalist, corner Broadway and Mill; Rev. E. G. Mason, pastor.

Christian and Missionary Alliance meets 85 West Cedar; Rev. S. M. Gerow.

Seventh Day Adventists meet 57 West South Street.

Latter Day Saints, Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ, meets corner Main and Bartges Streets.

Christian Science, Services are held in the Hebrew Temple, High Street.

Spiritualists meet in G. A. R. Hall.

Hungarian Church, South Main extension.

Union Gospel Mission, 51 North Howard; Rev. C. A. Mckinney, superintendent.

Gospel Church, East South: Rev. C. A. McKinney, pastor.

Salvation Army, 54 Main: Adjutant and Mrs. D. G. Main in charge.

Industrial Home, 33 and 35 Viaduct, store 874 South Main.

CHAPTER XIV

THE PRESS

BY HON. C11ARLES R. GRANT AND HARRY S. QUINE.

Since Laurin Dewey set up a hand press in Middlebury in 1825 and began the publica- tion of the Ohio Canal Advocate, it is recorded that Akron and Summit County have had nearly 100 somewhat similar ventures. Mr. Dewey was Summit County's first editor and publisher. The publication of his paper was made possible by the contribution of $204 in amounts varying from $2 to $10 by public spirited citizens of Middlebury. Some of these early newspaper promoters were the follow- ing: Erastus Torrey, Henry Chittenden, Charles Sumner, Nathan Gillett, Jr., Rufus Hart, Edward Sumner, Samuel Newton, Chas. W. Brown, Theophilus Potter, Miner Spicer and Paul Williams.

Laurin Dewey was a "practical printer," and came to Middlebury from Ravenna. The building of the canal was being advocated about that time, and Middlebury citizens be- lieved that if built, the future greatness of the place would be assured. And they believed, further, that a newspaper booming the canal might help their hopes along toward realiza- tion. Mr. Dewey saw an opportunity, and seized it. Second-hand materials were pur- chased from the Cleveland Herald, brought to Middlebury in two wagons, and the first issue appeared September 28, 1825, the name having been changed, in the meantime, to the Portage Journal, as the building of the canal was by that time assured. Hiram Bowen, afterwards founder of the Beacon. was associated with Laurin Dewey in the publication of the Portage Journal. The size of the Portage Journal was nineteen by twen- ty-four inches; the price was two dollars a

year. It was independent in politics and op- posed Jackson. In 1826 it passed into the hands of McMullen & Mason, then was again transferred to Alvah Hand, who discontinued it in 1829.

The first paper was unsuccessful, financial- ly. This was perhaps unfortunate, as a prece- dent, for the same might be said of the most of the ninety odd newspaper and magazine publications which have followed, in the years from 1825 to 1907.

Today three daily newspapers-two being entire local products and the third a. Cleveland publication, keep Akron and Summit County thoroughly informed. Then there are a num- ber of other newspapers and similar publica- tions, which will be dealt with in their turn. It might be added in passing, however, that Akron's present newspapers are far more suc- cessful, from a business view point, than most of their predecessors.

In no department of its industry may the progress of the city be so well followed as in its newspaper history. The printing art has improved and developed amazingly. Lane says, speaking of the Portage Journal, Sum- init County's first newspaper :

"With this fund, an old style Ramage press and a quantity of second-hand materials were purchased from the Cleveland Herald, the entire outfit being transported overland in a couple of two horse wagons." One team could probably have hauled the entire outfit an ordinary distance. The equipment may have weighed a ton. A new press was brought to Akron in the spring of 1907 for the Akron

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"I'mes. It weighs over 52,000 pounds, with- out its accessories.

In 1825, and in fact until a comparatively few years ago all type-setting was done by hand. Now it is indeed an obscure and back- ward paper which does not have one or more type-setting machines. In the old days, a strong youth furnished power for the print- ing press, turning out, possibly 300 to 500 in a laborious hour. Today presses in use by Akron's daily papers are operated by great engines or motors, and vastly larger papers than the early ones are turned out at the rate of 12,000 to 15,000 an hour.

The telegraph, the telephone, the perfecting of mail delivery service, the evolution of the photographie and the photo-engraving proc- ess have made newspapers entirely different things, both to publishers and to readers, than they were in the early days. Akron, proper, had no newspaper before 1836. Its people received their news through the Western In- telligence, 1827: the Ohio Observer, 1832; published at Hudson and Cuyahoga Falls.

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Centennial history of Summit County, Ohio and representative citizens, Part 28

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868 Publication date: 1908 Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1150

Author: Doyle, William B., b. 1868
Publication date: 1908
Publisher: Chicago, Ill. : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1150